affirm

af·firm

verb \ə-ˈfərm\

Definition of AFFIRM

transitive verb

1

a : validate, confirm

b : to state positively <he affirmed his innocence>

2

: to assert (as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed

3

: to express dedication to <affirm life>

intransitive verb

1

: to testify or declare by affirmation as distinguished from swearing an oath

2

: to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower court

— af·firm·able \ə-ˈfər-mə-bəl\ adjective

— af·fir·mance \ə-ˈfər-mən(t)s\ noun

Examples of AFFIRM

1. We cannot affirm that this painting is genuine.
2. They neither affirmed nor denied their guilt.
3. laws affirming the racial equality of all peoples
4. They continued to affirm their religious beliefs.
5. The decision was affirmed by a higher court.

Origin of AFFIRM

Middle English affermen, from Anglo-French afermer, from Latin affirmare, from ad- + firmare to make firm, from firmus firm — more at firm

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AFFIRM

Synonyms

claim, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant

Antonyms

deny, gainsay

Related Words

announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate; defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms

abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge, dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counter

See Synonym Discussion at assert

Rhymes with AFFIRM

bagworm, bloodworm, bookworm, budworm, confirm, cutworm, deworm, dew worm, earthworm, eelworm, flatworm, glowworm, heartworm, hookworm, hornworm, inchworm, infirm, long-term, lugworm, lungworm, midterm, pinworm, ringworm, roundworm, sandworm, screwworm, short-term, silkworm, tapeworm, webworm, woodworm