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

Neither promoter Goldenvoice nor representatives for each artist responded to requests for comment on the bill, but outlets including Rolling Stone have cited them as likely or confirmed performers.

From Los Angeles Times

They also confirmed they had spoken to police and that players were being supported.

From BBC

Brain regions belonging to the affective neural system responded strongly to the sound, again confirming its daunting nature.

From Science Daily

He confirmed it when he opened this season with back-to-back 100-yard performances, a first for a Chargers player.

From Los Angeles Times

It is the way of football that even before City have confirmed the news, questions are being asked about the timing and what it means in relation to the England job.

From BBC

Related Words

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