Synonyms of affirm

affirm

verb

ə-ˈfərm 

1

as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully

unwilling to affirm without further study that the painting is an original Rembrandt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insist
• allege
• claim
• assert
• maintain
• declare
• contend
• argue
• proclaim
• announce
• profess
• protest
• purport
• aver
• confirm
• avow
• put forth
• warrant
• defend
• avouch
• reason
• justify
• reaffirm
• rationalize
• vindicate
• uphold
• reassert
• broadcast
• persevere
• support

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• reject
• abandon
• negative
• repudiate
• negate
• gainsay
• disclaim
• challenge
• question
• refute
• dispute
• disprove
• disavow
• contradict
• rebut
• disown
• counter
• confute

2

as in to declare

to state clearly and strongly

our business partner affirmed his trust in us, and we in turn promised not to let him down

Synonyms & Similar Words

• declare
• assert
• proclaim
• profess
• announce
• say
• guarantee
• explain
• aver
• avow
• justify
• defend
• lay down
• promote
• emphasize
• uphold
• avouch
• advertise
• pronounce
• assure
• convince
• publicize
• reaffirm
• underline
• underscore
• advocate
• persuade
• accent
• advance
• stress
• accentuate
• reassert
• boost
• espouse
• support
• plug
• rationalize
• call
• blaze
• champion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• ignore
• disregard
• understate
• overlook
• neglect

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

Recent Examples of affirm

Kendrick affirmed in a March note that investors might benefit from viewing bitcoin as both an additional big tech stock and as a hedge against traditional finance, combining the best of both worlds. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025

On the bench, like a trainer hyping up a boxer, Murray’s Denver Nuggets teammates continuously affirmed him, telling him to keep his head up, assuring him that good things would eventually start to happen. —Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025

Heineken reported first-quarter revenue growth that beat analysts’ expectations on Wednesday morning and affirmed its full-year guidance despite the tariff risks. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025

Upholding their right to speak, however painful, affirmed a core truth: An America where even the most abhorrent speech is protected by law, rather than by power or whim, is ultimately a safer America for all. —Ari Hart, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025