Synonym Chooser

How is the word affirm distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of affirm are assert, avow, declare, and protest. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

When would assert be a good substitute for affirm?

While in some cases nearly identical to affirm, assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When might avow be a better fit than affirm?

Although the words avow and affirm have much in common, avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

When can declare be used instead of affirm?

While the synonyms declare and affirm are close in meaning, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

When is it sensible to use protest instead of affirm?

The words protest and affirm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affirm Huckabee emphasized that archaeological discoveries continue to affirm the scriptural narrative connecting the Jewish people to the land. Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025 But all eyes are likely to be on A$AP Rocky, who’s done some scattered acting before, but who appears in his biggest role to date as Yung Felon, a part whose place in the story has yet to be revealed, but that’s been affirmed by Lee to be a major one. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 13 May 2025 Researchers must affirm their safety in larger studies and better understand whether these cells remain functional for the long term and can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025 The new pope’s brother had to resolve an online dispute by affirming Leo is a fan of the South Side’s Chicago White Sox and not the North Side’s Cubs. Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for affirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affirm
Verb
  • Johnson insisted that Musk has bad information, and the speaker disputed the forecasts of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that scores budget legislation.
    Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted that Ukraine is doing everything possible to ensure the release of prisoners and the return of the soldiers’ bodies.
    Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Hit with what’s been declared one of the deadliest U.S. storms of the 21st century, multiple businesses and restaurants in the area were forced to close their doors, while others had to scale back operations just to stay afloat.
    Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
  • The spacecraft also went dark during that try, which was eventually declared a failure.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • By failing to meet and confer with the union over the impact of a return-to-office order on supervisors and managers in early March, Newsom violated state labor law, the union alleges.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
  • The passenger alleged that McRoy continued to take more marijuana dabs.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The Biden Department of Education’s fact sheet—which was not a law or a regulation promulgated through agency rule-making—asserted colleges paying athletes for use of their NIL ought to count as athletic financial assistance within the meaning of Title IX.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
  • After a shock-and-awe run of asserting executive power — much of it now tied up in the courts — Trump’s full attention is now on the Capitol, where lawmaking is in short supply this year.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Snaking between trees or buildings may cause the drone to crash – the post cites examples where riders claim to have survived this way.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Now that Trump has sidestepped Congress and claimed the right to impose tariffs at will, Woldenberg is taking on the White House directly.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Prior to the match, John McEnroe proclaimed that either would be the favorite against 14-time Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal, who was honored before the tournament with his footprint on Philippe-Chatrier.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Jordan Vidovic proclaimed that the RedHawks are the best team in Illinois to ever play the sport.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors said the defendants had marketed gaming operations in the two states and helped internet cafes set and maintain terminals that operated the games, which could be played for credits.
    Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • On Tuesday, the City Council’s finance committee forwarded agreements for the developer to build, operate and maintain the new promenade.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • But listen to those lyrics, which also land differently in a modern context — especially when thinking about how the Bible nowadays is too often used to justify hate instead of the love Jesus professed.
    Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
  • You might feel called to profess your love, take next steps in your relationship, or start building your dream life in some actionable way.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affirm. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affirm

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