Well, you've got some pretty similar verbs there. They are all action verbs, and they have somewhat similar meanings. When someone affirms something, they are stating that it is true or correct. For example, if I go to court and the judge asks me to "swear and affirm" that my statements are true, he is making sure that I am telling him or her what is correct. To affirm something can also mean to agree with it, or support it. To allege something is to say that something MIGHT have happened, or that you have good reason to believe that something happened. Again, if I went to court and the government alleges that I committed a crime, then the government is saying that there is a reasonable chance of me having committed that crime. To proclaim something is to enthusiastically support something, or even to shout something. It can also be an official announcement. For example, a mayor of a town might say, "I proclaim today a town holiday!". Finally, to assert something is very similiar to affirming something. If you assert something, you can be saying that something is true, or saying something with confidence or force. You can also be using something or reminding people of something Here are some examples: 1) I asserted my power as a boss and fired the terrible employee.- In this case the speaker is using his or her power 2) He asserted that someone was stealing from the company.- In this case the speaker is saying that something is true.