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

Mutha Chucka only agreed to shoot with us after her Thoth Tarot deck affirmed our invitation. — Devin Antheus, Vogue, "Legends of San Francisco," 30 Apr. 2019 Would this information serve you in any kind of positive or affirming way? — Anna Pulley, RedEye Chicago, "Ask Anna: What size penis do women prefer?," 7 Mar. 2018 This decision was reversed on appeal, and the appellate court’s ruling was affirmed by the Supreme Court. — Andrew Coan, WSJ, "Why Robert Mueller’s Predecessors Usually Didn’t Prevail," 25 Jan. 2019 Birth, which has been described as affirming, beautiful, even orgasmic by some women, can also be traumatic. — Frances F. Denny, Harper's BAZAAR, "What People Don’t Tell You About Childbirth: The Realities of Vaginal Tearing," 16 July 2018 This includes respecting and affirming the language that bathes our existence, and explores the intersectionality with other identities. — Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, "TEACHING FOR BLACK LIVES," 10 July 2018 In the area of environmental regulation, Kavanaugh's opinions have been both affirmed and struck down by Kennedy's Supreme Court. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Will Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh deliver the change conservatives crave?," 10 July 2018 Other recent rulings, upheld on appeal, affirm the children’s rights to a bond hearing and require better conditions at the Border Patrol’s short-term holding facilities. — Jill Colvin And Colleen Long, Indianapolis Star, "Trump signs executive order to end immigrant family separations," 20 June 2018 Other recent rulings, upheld on appeal, affirm the children’s rights to a bond hearing and require better conditions at the Border Patrol’s short-term holding facilities. — BostonGlobe.com, "Here’s how Trump is trying to evade responsibility for separating kids from parents at the border," 15 June 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"