Meaning 1
A firm statement intended to give confidence about what is true or will happen.
Reach for it when describing words or evidence that remove another person's reasonable doubt
The written warranty gave buyers assurance that repairs were covered.
Meaning 2
Calm confidence in one's own judgment or ability.
Reach for it when praising steady self-confidence visible in manner or action
She answered the panel's detailed questions with quiet assurance.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm |
| |
| professional |
| |
| formal |
everyday
Fits when a person commits to a future action
Careful A promise concerns conduct, while assurance can confirm a present fact.
warm
Fits when comforting someone after worry is the purpose
Careful Reassurance addresses emotion and may add no evidence or commitment.
professional
confirmation
Fits when new evidence establishes that something is correct
Careful Confirmation proves or verifies; an assurance may depend on trust.
professional
Fits when a binding commitment backs the claim
Careful A guarantee creates a stronger legal or practical obligation than an assurance.
formal
undertaking
Fits when a formal pledge creates responsibility
Careful Undertaking is legalistic and awkward for ordinary comfort.
everyday
Fits when absence of doubt is the exact mental state
Careful Certainty can be rigid or mistaken and need not look assured.
everyday
Fits when belief in ability or judgment is the main quality
Careful Confidence can be energetic or private without assurance's composed manner.
professional
Fits when emotional steadiness under pressure is visible
Careful Composure may conceal doubt and does not establish inner confidence.
formal
self-assurance
Fits when stable confidence in oneself should be explicit
Careful Self-assurance can sound like a personality judgment rather than one calm performance.
give assurance
Independent test results give assurance that the water is safe.
written assurance
The supplier provided written assurance about replacement parts.
quiet assurance
He led the difficult rehearsal with quiet assurance.
air of assurance
Practice gave the apprentice an air of assurance.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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