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
  • European leaders are expected to present a comprehensive offer aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear activity, though Tehran insists its program remains peaceful.
    Amanda Castro Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • In recent years, Iran has refused to engage in direct discussions with U.S. officials about its nuclear program and instead has insisted on indirect talks, with each government relaying messages through intermediaries.
    NBC News, NBC news, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Klitschko later declared Wednesday a day of mourning for the victims of the attack.
    Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 17 June 2025
  • Strickland even publicly declared his support for Trump after a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June 2024.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • It is alleged that Brown launched an unprovoked attack on Diaw, and hit him several times with a bottle and continued to punch and kick him.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 June 2025
  • More than a decade later, the case took stunning new turns, authorities alleging an elaborate scheme orchestrated from behind prison walls by the man convicted of killing him.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Bayern asserted their dominance over Group C by thrashing Auckland City in their Club World Cup opener 10-0.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • America asserted its position, secured a partner through alignment against common rivals, and laid the groundwork for its emergence as a global superpower.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Alexander Bublik captured his first ATP Tour title of the 2025 campaign by downing Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, to claim the Halle Open for a second time in three years.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Cassie Ventura's friend claimed the two had been working on a clothing line with Diamond Supply Company.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The holiday marks the date in 1865 – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation – that Major General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Union Army troops came to Galveston Bay, Texas, to proclaim freedom for more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 June 2025
  • In front of an excited crowd of Venezuelans in Miami in 2019, the president proclaimed that Maduro’s days were numbered.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Currently in Phase One of a three-phase development effort, the program is working on how to most accurately and efficiently direct power, correcting the beam wavefront to maintain quality, making the system throttleable, and reduce conversion losses across the relays.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 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 27 Jun. 2025.

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