affirm

verb

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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 Decades of research repeatedly affirm the same outcome: frequent trading leaves investors poorer. — April Rudin, Forbes, 3 June 2021 The committee voted 6-4 to affirm the bureau’s finding that the arrest was reasonable, though many members said they were disturbed by police actions. — oregonlive, 3 June 2021 The justices would be wise to take a pass on the Harvard case, or to affirm the lower courts’ decisions. — WSJ, 31 May 2021 Then came the veto of the City Council's decision to affirm the Planning Commission's denial. — Andrew Rorvig, Star Tribune, 27 May 2021 Your caretaking should extend to continuing to affirm your wife’s (and your) lifelong values. — Amy Dickinson, chicagotribune.com, 23 May 2021 Your caretaking should extend to continuing to affirm your wife’s (and your) lifelong values. — Washington Post, 23 May 2021 Your caretaking should extend to continuing to affirm your wife’s (and your) lifelong values. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 23 May 2021 Amid Trump's false claims over voter fraud, Stefanik supported an objection during the Electoral College vote count to affirm President Joe Biden's win. — Clare Foran, CNN, 14 May 2021

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"