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confirm

verb
con·firm | \kən-ˈfərm \
confirmed; confirming; confirms

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

Other Words from confirm Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about confirm

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Other Words from confirm

confirmability \kən-ˌfər-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē \ noun
confirmable \kən-ˈfər-mə-bəl \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for confirm

Synonyms

accredit, approve, authorize, clear, finalize, formalize, OK (or okay), ratify, sanction, warrant

Antonyms

decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 If confirmed, Kavanaugh will face a case about the right of a moose hunter to use his hovercraft on an Interior Alaska waterway. — Erica Martinson, Anchorage Daily News, "Sullivan meets Supreme Court nominee and says he’ll vote to confirm him," 13 July 2018 Brett Kavanaugh, Mr Trump’s recently announced nominee to the court, would probably, if confirmed, be less likely to restrict the practice than the departing Anthony Kennedy was. — The Economist, "America’s electoral system gives the Republicans advantages over Democrats," 12 July 2018 If confirmed, Kavanaugh could provide conservatives with the fifth vote needed to overturn the decision. — Daniel Arkin /, NBC News, "Brett Kavanaugh addressed Roe v. Wade in speech last year," 12 July 2018 If confirmed, Kavanaugh, 53, could solidify a conservative majority on the court for decades. — Brian Bennett, Time, "How Brett Kavanaugh Could Change the Supreme Court—and America," 12 July 2018 Others wondered if this confirmed the belief that the need to make people laugh was a sign of a troubled soul. — Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, "Doc Talk: A sad clown and a happy collector," 12 July 2018 If confirmed by the Senate, the Leesburg resident would be based in Rome, the headquarters of the three main international organizations involved in fighting world hunger and promoting sustainable development. — Maureen Groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana agribusinessman Kip Tom tapped by Trump for food ambassador job," 11 July 2018 If confirmed, this would be the sixth lightning strike death in Florida this year. — Wayne K. Roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Father and son struck by lightning, and only one would live," 11 July 2018 If President Trump’s Supreme Court nomination is confirmed, many fear that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "ICE protester sues Philly police, young Pa. farmers shake up industry | Morning Newsletter," 11 July 2018

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.

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First Known Use of confirm

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for confirm

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

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Dictionary Entries near confirm

confinement system

confining bed

confinity

confirm

confirmability theory

confirmand

confirmation

Phrases Related to confirm

confirmed bachelor

Statistics for confirm

Last Updated

8 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for confirm

The first known use of confirm was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for confirm

confirm

verb

English Language Learners Definition of confirm

: 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

See the full definition for confirm in the English Language Learners Dictionary

confirm

verb
con·firm | \kən-ˈfərm \
confirmed; confirming

Kids Definition of confirm

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.

3 : approve sense 2, accept Senators confirmed the treaty.

4 : to perform a ceremony admitting a person into a church or synagogue

confirm

transitive verb
con·firm

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on confirm

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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

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