confirm

verb

con·​firm kən-ˈfərm 

confirmed; confirming; confirms

transitive verb

1

: to give approval to : ratify

confirm a treaty

2

: to make firm or firmer : strengthen

confirm one's resolve

3

: to administer the rite of confirmation to

4

: to give new assurance of the validity of : remove doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact

confirm a rumor

confirm an order

confirmability

kən-ˌfər-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

confirmable

kən-ˈfər-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• argue
• attest
• authenticate
• bear out
• certify
• corroborate
• substantiate
• support
• validate
• verify
• vindicate

Choose the Right Synonym for confirm

confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate mean to attest to the truth or validity of something.

confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

verify implies the establishing of correspondence of actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed at.

all statements of fact in the article have been verified

authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

Examples of confirm in a Sentence

The tests confirmed the doctors' suspicions of cancer.

The attack confirmed her worst fears about the neighborhood.

The award confirmed her status as one of the great movie actresses.

The dentist's office called to confirm your appointment for tomorrow.

We have a reservation for you for tomorrow night. Please call to confirm.

Recent Examples on the Web

As of October 24, 2023, scientists have confirmed the existence of 5,535 planets outside of our solar system. —Swapna Krishna, WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023

Alderwoman Maria Hadden said the conductor may have experienced a medical emergency just prior to the crash, but police and fire officials have not confirmed that. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2023

Billboard has confirmed the accuracy of Dylan’s quote. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2023

Sources with the Mountain West and San Diego State confirmed discussions and the framework for an alliance, although several twists and turns remain as the Pac-12 moves through what in essence is a messy divorce. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023

No motive is currently known for the attack but police have confirmed that the 12-year-old girl has been charged with one count of murder. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023

Hundreds gathered in central Israel on Thursday to honor Vivian Silver, a Canadian Israeli peace activist who this week was confirmed killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. —Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023

The Senate also voted last week to confirm Jack Lew as ambassador to Israel. —Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2023

Halsey topped off the post with a white heart emoji, further confirming the rumors that have been swirling since the pair were spotted kissing in September. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French cunfermer, from Latin confirmare, from com- + firmare to make firm, from firmus firm

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

confirm

verb

con·​firm kən-ˈfərm 

1

: to make firm or firmer (as in habit, faith, or intention) : strengthen

2

: approve sense 2, ratify

confirm a treaty

3

: to administer confirmation to

4

: to make sure of the truth of : verify

confirm a suspicion

confirmable

-ˈfər-mə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

confirm

transitive verb

con·​firm

1

a

: to make valid by necessary formal approval

the debtor's chapter 13 plan confirmed by the court

b

: to vote approval of

confirm a nomination

2

: to give formal acknowledgment of receipt of

3

: to remove doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact

a consent decree confirming Capt. Brown's right to his cargo

—W. G. Young