af·fir·ma·tive
ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv 
1
: asserting that the fact is so
gave an affirmative answer
affirmative proof
2
: positive
an affirmative approach
3
: favoring or supporting a proposition or motion
an affirmative vote
was on the affirmative side in the debate
4
logic
: asserting a predicate of a subject
affirmatively
adverb
responded affirmatively
1
: an expression (such as the word yes) of affirmation or assent
2
: the side that upholds the proposition stated in a debate
3
logic
: an affirmative (see affirmative entry 1 sense 4) proposition
Synonyms
Examples of affirmative in a Sentence
Adjective
She gave an affirmative answer, not a negative answer.
Noun
we have five affirmatives and two negatives for forming the committee
Recent Examples on the Web
Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
But that’s different from parental consent, where parents must give an affirmative yes for their child to have a termination.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
And on Wednesday, it was passed in the House with 352 affirmative votes and just 65 representatives dissenting.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
The timeline for selection varies and the NFL will announce future locations after there's been an affirmative vote.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2024
Wildly affirmative reviews for this new version, based on Winfrey’s 2004 Broadway musical retread, emphasize the gender and racial credits of its cast and crew.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2024
For the better part of the past decade, the Warriors have answered in the affirmative.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024
The affirmative case for democracy must be made anew so that no one dares forget the price that has been paid for our freedom — or the price to be paid for its loss.
—Richard K. Sherwin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
Success in sales and business development is mainly measured by the end result of a pursuit—either getting an affirmative outcome or the other party declining your proposition.
—Mustansir Paliwala, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
al, 11 Feb. 2023
The answer, to my mind, is a resounding affirmative.
—Arthur Knight, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2022
Shortly after, Gomez herself responded with a resounding affirmative.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 May 2022
Use liberally the affirmatives Yes, ma’am and Yes, sir, having grown up under threat of a stiff switch.
—Melissa Lyttle, Smithsonian, 13 Dec. 2017
Adjective
The female gaze has become more confident, affirmative, and affirming.
—Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
But that’s different from parental consent, where parents must give an affirmative yes for their child to have a termination.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
And on Wednesday, it was passed in the House with 352 affirmative votes and just 65 representatives dissenting.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
The timeline for selection varies and the NFL will announce future locations after there's been an affirmative vote.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2024
Wildly affirmative reviews for this new version, based on Winfrey’s 2004 Broadway musical retread, emphasize the gender and racial credits of its cast and crew.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2024
For the better part of the past decade, the Warriors have answered in the affirmative.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024
The affirmative case for democracy must be made anew so that no one dares forget the price that has been paid for our freedom — or the price to be paid for its loss.
—Richard K. Sherwin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
Success in sales and business development is mainly measured by the end result of a pursuit—either getting an affirmative outcome or the other party declining your proposition.
—Mustansir Paliwala, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Noun
The weather might not have been the best, but for anyone looking for reassurance that Mardi Gras was going to stay weird in 2023, the evening provided an energetic affirmative.
—al, 11 Feb. 2023
The answer, to my mind, is a resounding affirmative.
—Arthur Knight, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2022
Shortly after, Gomez herself responded with a resounding affirmative.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 May 2022
Use liberally the affirmatives Yes, ma’am and Yes, sir, having grown up under threat of a stiff switch.
—Melissa Lyttle, Smithsonian, 13 Dec. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affirmative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near affirmative
Cite this Entry
“Affirmative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmative. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
affirmative
1 of 2 adjective
af·fir·ma·tive
ə-ˈfər-mət-iv
1
: declaring that the fact is so
gave an affirmative answer
2
: being positive or helpful
take an affirmative approach
affirmatively
adverb
affirmative
2 of 2 noun1
: an expression (as the word yes) of agreement
2
: the affirmative side in a debate or vote
Legal Definition
affirmative
adjective
af·fir·ma·tive
ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv
1
: asserting the existence of certain facts especially in support of a cause of action
affirmative proof
2
: resulting from an intentional act
affirmative concealment
3
: involving or requiring application of effort
an affirmative duty
4
: favoring or supporting a proposition or motion
an affirmative vote
affirmatively
adverb
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