affirm

verb

af·​firm ə-ˈfərm 

affirmed; affirming; affirms

transitive verb

1

a

: validate, confirm

He was affirmed as a candidate.

b

: to state positively

He affirmed his innocence.

2

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

The court affirmed his conviction.

3

: to show or express a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important idea)

laws affirming the racial equality of all people

intransitive verb

1

: to testify or declare by affirmation (see affirmation sense 2) as distinguished from swearing an oath

2

: to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower court

affirmable

ə-ˈfər-mə-bəl 

adjective

affirmance

ə-ˈfər-mən(t)s 

noun

Synonyms

• insist
• allege
• claim
• assert
• maintain
• declare
• contend

Choose the Right Synonym for affirm

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection.

assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

Examples of affirm in a Sentence

We cannot affirm that this painting is genuine.

They neither affirmed nor denied their guilt.

laws affirming the racial equality of all peoples

They continued to affirm their religious beliefs.

The decision was affirmed by a higher court.

Recent Examples on the Web

The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, aimed to affirm that Trump should seek authorization from Congress before launching more military action against Iran. —Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

Since January 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has tracked nearly 600 anti-LGBTQ state legislative bills across the United States targeting transgender youth, restricting access to affirming services and limiting public expression of LGBTQ+ identities. —Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Watkins’ conviction was overturned in 2023, affirming his innocence after years of efforts by his family and the Georgia Innocence Project, according to the lawsuit. —Miami Herald, 6 June 2025

Illinois hospital emergency departments must continue to provide abortions when necessary to pregnant women whose health is in danger, despite a change in federal guidance earlier this week, state leaders affirmed Wednesday. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration (conformed to Latin affirmāre) of Middle English affermen "to fix firmly, make steadfast, establish, confirm, assert," borrowed from Anglo-French afermer, affermer, going back to Latin affirmāre "to strengthen, confirm, assert positively," from ad- ad- + firmāre "to strengthen, fortify," derivative of firmus "strong, durable, firm entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for affirm

• bookworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm
• berm
• ferm

Kids Definition

affirm

verb

af·​firm ə-ˈfərm 

: to state positively or with confidence

affirmation

ˌaf-ər-ˈmā-shən

noun

Legal Definition

affirm

transitive verb

af·​firm ə-ˈfərm 

1

: to assert as true or factual

2

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

affirmed the lower court's ruling

compare remand, reverse

intransitive verb

1

: to make a solemn declaration under the penalties of perjury in place of swearing an oath to which one conscientiously objects

2

: to uphold the judgment or actions of a lower court

the appeals court affirmed

affirmance

ə-ˈfər-məns 

noun

affirmation

ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən 

noun