affirm

[ uh-furm ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• afˈfirmer, noun

Other Words From

• af·firm·a·ble adjective
• af·firm·a·bly adverb
• af·firm·er noun
• af·firm·ing·ly adverb
• o·ver·af·firm verb
• pre·af·firm verb
• re·af·firm verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirm¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirm¹

C14: via Old French from Latin affirmāre to present (something) as firm or fixed, assert, from ad- to + firmāre to make firm ¹

Synonym Study

See declare.

Example Sentences

Also on Tuesday, the Los Angeles school board affirmed the nation’s second-largest school system as a sanctuary for immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.

From Los Angeles Times

Eventually, philosophers arrived at the superiority theory of humor, according to which every joke is, at its core, a hostile attack designed to affirm the comic’s dominance and assure the subjugation of its target.

From Salon

Most movingly, it affirms that open communication and safe self-expression are a vital part of everyone’s treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

The newly elected leader of the incoming majority, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., likewise affirmed his commitment to the Senate’s traditional role of providing “advice and consent” to the executive branch.

From Salon

Schiff wrote on X. “Confirming him would mean affirming the worst potential abuses of DOJ.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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