affirm

verb

af·firm | \ ə-ˈfərm

affirmed; affirming; affirms

Definition of affirm

transitive verb

1a : 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

Other Words from affirm Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about affirm

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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

No matter the reason, everyone deserves mammography and chest-wall care that affirms their bodies, genders, and identities. — Kim Schuette/share, Cincinnati.com, "Equitas Health holds ‘Go Topless Once a Year’ in Cincinnati," 25 June 2019 At night, on the dance floor, the various Houses compete to be seen, but also to be appreciated in a world that affirms their worth. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Pose Lets In the Light," 12 June 2019 There is a humane way that affirms human rights and human dignity and actually solves this problem. — Time Staff, Time, "Here's Everything the Candidates Said at Wednesday's 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate," 11 May 2019 Members issued a joint statement that affirms the importance of the multilateral trading system. — Bob Davis, WSJ, "U.S., China Face Thorny Obstacles to Lasting Trade Peace," 2 Dec. 2018 Children across the spectrum, in more or less segregated schools, were awed by a great story that affirmed blackness. — Andrew Grant-thomas And Melissa Giraud, Good Housekeeping, "Parents: Maybe Don't Buy Your Kid That Black Panther Costume This Halloween," 11 Oct. 2018 President Obama in 2009, 2010 signed executive order 13526 that again affirmed the president has full authority as the final arbiter of what's classified and what's declassified. — Fox News, "Graham: Democrats are trying to destroy Kavanaugh's life," 17 Sep. 2018 On Monday, Alliance Defending Freedom appealed a June Arizona Court of Appeals ruling that affirmed the constitutionality of the Phoenix law. — Jessica Boehm, azcentral, "Wedding invitation designers appeal ruling requiring them to serve sames-sex couples," 10 July 2018 The rescission of this guidance does not overrule forty years of precedent that affirms the constitutionality of a university’s limited use of race in college admissions. — Stephen A. Crockett Jr., The Root, "2 Birds, 1 Racist President: Trump to Undo Obama Policy That Used Race as Factor for Diversity in Schools," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affirm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affirm

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"