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 2) as distinguished from swearing an oath
2 : to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower court
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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 of affirm from the Web
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The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which affirmed the penalty against Tsakopoulos in 2002.
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All other major signatories – including European nations, China, and India – have affirmed their commitment to climate action, even without US participation.
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With ethnic studies, Seattle Public Schools can fundamentally affirm and empower more students to become agents of change in our community.
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His conviction and sentence were affirmed by the courts years ago, and last month (February) the United States Supreme Court once again declined to hear his claims.
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As Trump was starting his weekend visit to the kingdom, one prominent scholar affirmed that Jews are the mortal enemies of Muslims.
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The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed that reversal, a decision that brought the case back to Cannon.
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But these are fleeting, minor annoyances in a generally big-hearted, life-affirming, musically sumptuous film.
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Less than two weeks later, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed an order halting it.
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.
Origin and Etymology 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
Synonym Discussion of affirm
AFFIRM Defined for English Language Learners
affirm
playDefinition of affirm for English Language Learners
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: to say that something is true in a confident way
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: to show a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important idea)
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law : to decide that the judgment of another court is correct
AFFIRM Defined for Kids
affirm
playDefinition of affirm for Students
affirmed
;affirming
: to declare that something is true The man affirms that he is innocent.
Law Dictionary
affirm
playLegal Definition of affirm
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
Learn More about affirm
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See words that rhyme with affirm Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for affirm Spanish Central: Translation of affirm Nglish: Translation of affirm for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of affirm for Arabic speakers
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