affirm

American  

[uh-furm] / əˈfɜrm /

verb (used with object)

1. to state or assert positively; maintain as true.

   to affirm one's loyalty to one's country; He affirmed that all was well.

   Synonyms:

   testify, depose, asseverate, aver

   Antonyms:

   deny

2. to confirm or ratify.

   The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the lower court.

   Synonyms:

   endorse, approve

3. to assert solemnly.

   He affirmed his innocence.

4. to express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support.

   to affirm human rights.

5. to support (someone) by giving approval, recognition, or encouragement.

   She described the unhappy memory of her father, who had neither disciplined nor affirmed her.

---

verb (used without object)

1. Law.

   1. to state something solemnly before a court or magistrate, but without oath.

   2. to ratify and accept a voidable transaction.

   3. (of an appellate court) to determine that the action of the lower court shall stand.

affirm British  

/ əˈfɜːm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to declare to be true; assert positively

2. to uphold, confirm, or ratify

3. (intr) law to make an affirmation

---

Related Words

See declare.

Other Word Forms

• affirmable adjective
• affirmably adverb
• affirmer noun
• affirmingly adverb
• overaffirm verb
• preaffirm verb
• reaffirm verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of affirm

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin affirmāre, equivalent to af- af- + firmāre “to make firm” ( firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English a(f)fermen, from Middle French afermer, from Latin

Example Sentences

Mr. Styles obviously mastered pleasant-sounding and mildly affirming electronic pop and there’s nothing particularly embarrassing on the album, but one almost wishes there were a few stumbles.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The election results were certified, litigated, and affirmed," Mayes said in a statement.

From Barron's

On a Feb. 19 episode of his podcast, he expressed skepticism about the cannibalism theory but affirmed that “it certainly is a code.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Both Fitch and Moody’s Ratings have now downgraded Indonesia’s credit outlook to negative from stable while affirming their respective ratings on the country’s debt.

From The Wall Street Journal

The story is engaging and ultimately affirming, replete with L.A. references and a reminder how constrained the lives of traditional wives could be six decades ago.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assert
• confirm
• declare
• guarantee
• insist
• maintain
• profess
• ratify
• repeat