assertion

[uh-sur-shuhn]

noun

1. a positive statement or declaration, often without support or reason.

   a mere assertion;

   an unwarranted assertion.

   Synonyms: allegation, contention, claim

2. an act of asserting.

assertion

/ əˈsɜːʃən /

noun

1. a positive statement, usually made without an attempt at furnishing evidence

2. the act of asserting

Other Word Forms

• assertional adjective
• misassertion noun
• nonassertion noun
• overassertion noun
• reassertion noun
• superassertion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assertion¹

1375–1425; late Middle English assercion < Latin assertiōn- (stem of assertiō ). See assert, -ion

Example Sentences

Asked whether these news stories could create obstacles to a potential gubernatorial campaign, Bonta pushed back against any assertion that he may have “baggage.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Banerji, according to an insider, was known to be angry that Shah was - in his view - weak in not challenging a number of other board members and their assertion about systemic bias at BBC News.

Read more on BBC

Mr. Brooke-Hitching provides no way for the reader to fact-check his assertions, but he does offer a glossary to clear up the meanings of such terms as buoyant, pseudonym and venom.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Corporations are willing to assert that information is confidential, commercial information, and more governmental bodies are willing not to second-guess the company’s assertion,” Leatherbury said.

Read more on Salon

He also said an earlier lockdown would have been "wiser" but questioned the report's assertion that it would have meant fewer deaths.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affirmation 
• allegation 
• contention 
• insistence 
• pronouncement