confirm

[ kuhn-furm ]

verb (used with object)

1. to establish the truth, accuracy, validity, or genuineness of; corroborate; verify:

   This report confirms my suspicions.

   Synonyms: validate, authenticate, substantiate, prove

   Antonyms: disprove

2. to acknowledge with definite assurance:

   Did the hotel confirm our room reservation?

3. to make valid or binding by some formal or legal act; sanction; ratify:

   to confirm a treaty;

   to confirm her appointment to the Supreme Court.

   Antonyms: invalidate

4. to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly:

   Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

   Synonyms: fix

   Antonyms: shake

5. to strengthen (a person) in habit, resolution, opinion, etc.:

   The accident confirmed him in his fear of driving.

6. to administer the religious rite of confirmation to.

confirm

/ kənˈfɜːm /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to prove to be true or valid; corroborate; verify
2. may take a clause as object to assert for a second or further time, so as to make more definite

   he confirmed that he would appear in court

3. to strengthen or make more firm

   his story confirmed my doubts

4. to make valid by a formal act or agreement; ratify
5. to administer the rite of confirmation to

Derived Forms

• conˈfirmatory, adjective
• conˈfirmer, noun
• conˈfirmable, adjective

Other Words From

• con·firma·ble adjective
• con·firma·bili·ty noun
• con·firmer Law. con·fir·mor [kon-fer-, mawr, k, uh, n-, fur, -mer], noun
• con·firming·ly adverb
• noncon·firming adjective
• precon·firm verb (used with object)
• recon·firm verb (used with object)
• uncon·firm verb (used with object)
• uncon·firma·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin confirmāre “to strengthen, confirm” ( con-, firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English confermen, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

C13: from Old French confermer, from Latin confirmāre, from firmus firm ¹

Example Sentences

The chief prosecutor at that time also sought arrest warrants for three senior figures from Hamas, all of whom are now confirmed or believed dead.

From Los Angeles Times

Carr previously served as the FCC’s general counsel and has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times.

From Los Angeles Times

The Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the bones were human but have not determined the identity of the person or cause of death, according to acting Cpt.

From Los Angeles Times

But if Vought is appointed and confirmed by the Senate, he will once again be working in an office that he has sought to drastically downsize.

From Salon

“I can’t confirm or deny what it was, but I can confirm I am OK.”

From Salon

Related Words

• affirm
• approve
• back
• certify
• corroborate
• endorse
• establish
• explain
• sign
• substantiate
• support
• uphold
• verify