Definition of confirm
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
Explore M-W
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 of confirm from the Web
-
A colleague of Suganob confirmed to The Associated Press that the man in the video is the priest.
-
Previous defense ministry statements — including a briefing given to the president last week — had confirmed the deployment of only two launchers.
-
Boris Epshteyn confirmed Tuesday that he had been contacted, saying in a statement that the committee had asked him to volunteer information.
-
His name was being withheld until the Santa Clara County Coroner’s office confirms his identity and notifies his next of kin.
-
The Washington Post first reported on the suggestion on Friday, and three people informed about it confirmed it to The New York Times.
-
The statement was shot down by the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who confirmed the statement in part but said it had been exaggerated due to a translation error.
-
Musk also confirmed, in a Feb. 9 interview with Bloomberg, that the Model 3 will meet its promised price tag of $35,000, and that's before government incentives that could drive it significantly lower.
-
Barack opted for a slim navy chino, an understated belt, and (what appears to be, cannot confirm) a linen shirt.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confirm'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of confirm
Middle English, from Anglo-French cunfermer, from Latin confirmare, from com- + firmare to make firm, from firmus firm
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonym Discussion of confirm
CONFIRM Defined for English Language Learners
confirm
playDefinition of confirm for English Language Learners
-
: to state or show that (something) is true or correct
-
: to tell someone that something has definitely happened or is going to happen : to make (something) definite or official
-
: to make (something) stronger or more certain : to cause (someone) to believe (something) more strongly
CONFIRM Defined for Kids
confirm
playDefinition of confirm for Students
confirmed
;confirming
1 : to make sure of the truth of Their arrest confirms my suspicion.
2 : to make firm or firmer (as in a habit, in faith, or in intention) : strengthen The job at the shelter confirmed her intention to become a veterinarian.
4 : to perform a ceremony admitting a person into a church or synagogue
Law Dictionary
confirm
Legal Definition of confirm
1a : 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
Learn More about confirm
-
See words that rhyme with confirm Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for confirm Spanish Central: Translation of confirm Nglish: Translation of confirm for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of confirm for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up confirm? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!