AFFIRMATIVE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative

as in approval

a vote or decision for something we have five affirmatives and two negatives for forming the committee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of affirmative Howard asked Nuñez, to which the FBI agent answered in the affirmative. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 When asked if Brooks, who is coming off the second ACL surgery of his young career, would be available for the offseason program, Canales answered in the affirmative. — Mike Kaye march 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026 Lue replied when a reporter answered in the affirmative. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026 Deputy Superintendent Derald Davis answered in the affirmative and added that administrative support is being given to those staff members and/or the school site. — Connye Griffin, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for affirmative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affirmative

Noun

His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.

— Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
In Massachusetts and Maine, that approval is also contingent on the federal government finding a long-term solution to the seemingly intractable problem of storing radioactive nuclear waste.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of approval

Noun

This method is similar to other frameworks, like acceptance commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

— Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Rice, however, believes social acceptance still depends too often on how Black women style and present their hair.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of acceptance

Noun

Hugo Soto-Martínez answered nearly every yes-no question posed by the DSA during his first run for City Council in 2022.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
The conditional yes This technique is great for situations where both the urgency and potential costs of saying no are high.

— Melody Wilding, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of yes

Browse Nearby Words

affirmations

affirmative

affirmatives

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Style

“Affirmative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affirmative. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of affirmative

noun

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