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

Mr Carrick had previously appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link, where he spoke only to confirm his name and age and no pleas were entered.

From BBC

Some downballot results seem to confirm this anti-incumbent fervor: Voters in California, for example, tossed out the progressive L.A. prosecutor George Gascón, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

From Slate

She urged her fellow senators not to confirm him.

From BBC

A police spokesperson told AFP that they could "confirm that there is a body in front of the Supreme Court", but offered no further details.

From BBC

The New York Times’ Ezra Klein may be correct that Gaetz is a sacrificial nominee—meant for Senate Republicans to shoot down so they have more political leeway to confirm other nominees who are extreme but not so off-the-wall.

From Slate

Related Words

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