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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

assertion

uh-SUR-shuhn

Assertion (noun) means a firm, confident statement, especially one made without offering proof. Example: “His assertion that the deal was legal was later disproved.”

noun
1
A firm, confident statement, especially one made without offering proof.
"His assertion that the deal was legal was later disproved."
"The report is full of assertions but light on evidence."
2
In computing, a statement in code that checks whether a condition is true at that point, used to catch bugs.
"The programmer added an assertion to catch invalid input early."

How to use assertion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA confident claim or statement, which may or may not be backed up by evidence.

Common pairings
bold assertion unsupported assertion make an assertion

Word forms

assertions plural

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Test yourself on “assertion” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

His _____ that the deal was legal was later disproved.

Etymology

From Latin assertio, from assert- (see "assert"), plus the noun suffix "-ion".

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for assertion

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Frequently asked questions

What does “assertion” mean?

The word “assertion” means a firm, confident statement, especially one made without offering proof. In plain terms, a confident claim or statement, which may or may not be backed up by evidence.

How do you pronounce “assertion”?

“Assertion” is pronounced uh-SUR-shuhn (/əˈsɜɹʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “assertion” in a sentence?

Here is “assertion” used in a sentence: “His assertion that the deal was legal was later disproved.”

What is another word for “assertion”?

Words with a similar meaning to “assertion” include accusation, allegation, censure, charge, crimination and impeachment.

What part of speech is “assertion”?

“Assertion” is a noun.

Where does the word “assertion” come from?

The word “assertion” comes from Latin. From Latin assertio, from assert- (see "assert"), plus the noun suffix "-ion".

Is “assertion” a common word?

“Assertion” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “assertion” have?

“Assertion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a firm, confident statement, especially one made without offering proof.

What is the difference between an assertion and a fact?

An assertion is a firm, confident statement, especially one made without offering proof, while a fact is something verified and demonstrably true. An assertion may or may not turn out to be accurate, whereas a fact by definition is correct.

What does assertion mean in computing?

In computing, an assertion is a statement in code that checks whether a condition is true at that point, used to catch bugs during development. If the condition fails, the assertion typically signals an error so the problem can be identified early.

When should you use assertion instead of statement in everyday writing?

Assertion is best used when emphasizing that a claim is made confidently but without offering supporting proof, whereas statement is a more neutral term for anything said or written. Choosing assertion signals to the reader that the claim may need further verification.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial