Deposition and affidavit denote testimony reduced to writing; the deposition differs from the affidavit in that the latter is voluntary and without cross-examination, while the former is made under interrogatories and subject to cross-examination.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

evidence From this evidence it follows that he is innocent.
testimony The detective took down his testimony on the spot.
affidavit The deponent signed the affidavit under oath.
removal Early removal of the placenta is very dangerous.
deposit You have to give three months' rent as a deposit.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
deposition		steady
evidence		steady
testimony		falling
affidavit		falling
removal		falling
deposit		falling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

7 letters: removal³, deposit³, ousting²
8 letters: evidence³
9 letters: testimony⁴, dismissal³, affidavit⁴
11 letters: affirmation⁴
12 letters: displacement³, dethronement
13 letters: desublimation

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (removal³ = 3 syllables).

In other languages

Français: déposition
Italiano: deposizione