assertion

noun

as·​ser·​tion ə-ˈsər-shən 

a-

: the act of asserting or something that is asserted: such as

a

: insistent and positive affirming, maintaining, or defending (as of a right or attribute)

an assertion of ownership/innocence

b

: a declaration that something is the case

He presented no evidence to support his assertions.

Synonyms

• affirmation
• asseveration
• avouchment
• avowal
• claim
• declaration
• insistence
• profession
• protestation

Examples of assertion in a Sentence

the assertion that all men have certain unalienable rights is set forth in the Declaration of Independence

made the unlikely assertion that gravity affects light

Recent Examples on the Web

But one commenter disagreed with the assertion that making kids pay rent sets them back. —Erin Clack, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025

The truth of these assertions will remain to be seen until cars arrive on British roads in March. —James Morris, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

But even Trump's new top Social Security chief is refuting the baseless assertions. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Despite the ministry’s assertion that this was the first such discovery since 1922, archaeologists have reported finding pharaohs’ tombs in other parts of Egypt in the decades since, including in 1940 in Tanis and 2014 in Abydos. —Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see assert

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing assertion

• self-assertion

Rhymes for assertion

• cistercian
• coercion
• desertion
• exertion
• insertion
• mercian
• overexertion
• reassertion

Kids Definition

assertion

noun

as·​ser·​tion ə-ˈsər-shən 

a-

: the act of asserting

also : something asserted : declaration