confirm

[ kuhn-furm ]

verb (used with object)

1. to establish the truth, accuracy, validity, or genuineness of; corroborate; verify:

   This report confirms my suspicions.

   Synonyms: validate, authenticate, substantiate, prove

   Antonyms: disprove

2. to acknowledge with definite assurance:

   Did the hotel confirm our room reservation?

3. to make valid or binding by some formal or legal act; sanction; ratify:

   to confirm a treaty;

   to confirm her appointment to the Supreme Court.

   Antonyms: invalidate

4. to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly:

   Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

   Synonyms: fix

   Antonyms: shake

5. to strengthen (a person) in habit, resolution, opinion, etc.:

   The accident confirmed him in his fear of driving.

6. to administer the religious rite of confirmation to.

confirm

/ kənˈfɜːm /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to prove to be true or valid; corroborate; verify
2. may take a clause as object to assert for a second or further time, so as to make more definite

   he confirmed that he would appear in court

3. to strengthen or make more firm

   his story confirmed my doubts

4. to make valid by a formal act or agreement; ratify
5. to administer the rite of confirmation to

Derived Forms

• conˈfirmatory, adjective
• conˈfirmer, noun
• conˈfirmable, adjective

Other Words From

• con·firma·ble adjective
• con·firma·bili·ty noun
• con·firmer Law. con·fir·mor [kon-fer-, mawr, k, uh, n-, fur, -mer], noun
• con·firming·ly adverb
• noncon·firming adjective
• precon·firm verb (used with object)
• recon·firm verb (used with object)
• uncon·firm verb (used with object)
• uncon·firma·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin confirmāre “to strengthen, confirm” ( con-, firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English confermen, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

C13: from Old French confermer, from Latin confirmāre, from firmus firm ¹

Example Sentences

DNA tests were used to confirm Albert's status as father in both cases, following protracted legal battles.

From The Daily Beast

Prosecutor Alessandro Leopizzi wasted no time in repeating the transcript to ask Schettino to confirm his words.

From The Daily Beast

Furthermore, data confirm a connection between education level and police behavior.

From The Daily Beast

Blood spatters on the pavement seem to confirm that he was moving toward Wilson when the instantly fatal shot was fired.

From The Daily Beast

Just three Republicans out of 44 voted to confirm Hagel, himself a former GOP senator.

From The Daily Beast

When the oath is given to confirm an assertion, it is sworn in confirmation of a covenant with God.

From Project Gutenberg

In later periods still, the history of African travelers, confirm all the former accounts concerning the industry of the people.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is at least deserving of notice, that the very few apparent exceptions to this rule evidently tend to confirm it.

From Project Gutenberg

Chet touched a button, and a white light flashed to confirm his report that all was clear.

From Project Gutenberg

To confirm the evidence of these gentlemen two or three sailors were put into the witness box.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affirm
• approve
• back
• certify
• corroborate
• endorse
• establish
• explain
• sign
• substantiate
• support
• uphold
• verify