assertion
Americannoun
-
a positive statement or declaration, often without support or reason.
a mere assertion;
an unwarranted assertion.
- Synonyms:
- allegation, contention, claim
-
an act of asserting.
noun
-
a positive statement, usually made without an attempt at furnishing evidence
-
the act of asserting
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
misassertionnoun
-
nonassertionnoun
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overassertionnoun
-
reassertionnoun
-
superassertionnoun
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assertionaladjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of assertion
1375–1425; late Middle English assercion < Latin assertiōn- (stem of assertiō ). See assert, -ion
Explanation
An assertion is a declaration that's made emphatically, especially as part of an argument or as if it's to be understood as a statement of fact. To assert is to state with force. So if someone makes an assertion, they’re not just trying out an idea — they really mean it. An assertion can also be an act that seems to make a statement without words. When your dog urinates in multiple places up and down your block, he's making an assertion of his dominance (also called "marking") over his "territory."
Vocabulary lists containing assertion
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
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"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But authorities boast that the state has lately become a model for reducing mob mayhem — an assertion that many find suspect.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
The minister said they required further assurances from Meta, despite its assertion that it had built mechanisms to defend against cybercrimes through WhatsApp.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
An Energy Department statement to MarketWatch on Wednesday indicated that the industry assertion of a “minimum operating level” of 250 million barrels is incorrect.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
Rabin’s actual quote, and the context surrounding it, differ from Mr. Emanuel’s assertion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Indeed, had not Madison been the most ardent advocate at the Constitutional Convention for a clear assertion of federal sovereignty?
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
"These are grave assertions that directly impugn the claimants' personal integrity, character, and professional reputation", Lim said, adding that this was a factor in the awarding of the damages.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Lawyers for George Cottrell said he "categorically disputes allegations and assertions made by the Sunday Times" in relation to his financial help for Farage.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Such assertions do not reflect the realities of modern Korea and risk undermining confidence in one of America’s closest allies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
“I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026
The reconstruction, published in newspapers and magazines around the world, elicited assertions that Indians had European ancestry.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
