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."
"His bold assertion that he never makes mistakes made everyone laugh."
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."
"The test failed because an assertion in the code found a negative number."
"Adding an assertion at the start of the function made the bug easy to spot."
How to use assertion
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- assertions
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His _____ that the deal was legal was later disproved.
Etymology
From Latin assertio, from assert- (see "assert"), plus the noun suffix "-ion".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for assertion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for assertion →
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.
