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

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

From Los Angeles Times

When we sing a song together, we affirm the social and cultural value of listening to each other,” the library said at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

They boldly affirmed their identity as Americans in a society that did not view them as equal citizens.

From Salon

He said he had met President Zelensky for the sixth time since becoming PM, adding it was an opportunity to affirm the UK's "iron-clad support of Ukraine".

From BBC

It was quite strange to have someone affirm everything that I had struggled with and it wasn't because I was rubbish at life.

From BBC

Related Words

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