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Synonyms

confirmation

American  
[kon-fer-mey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn fərˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. an act or instance of confirming, or of establishing someone or something, as by verifying, approving, or corroborating.

    The study is an attempt at the scientific confirmation of previous anecdotal results.

    The nomination and confirmation of this candidate as Court of Appeals Judge is a step in the right direction.

  2. Religion.

    1. a rite in some Christian churches, in which baptized individuals profess their faith, are accorded status as full members, and, in some denominations, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    2. a solemn ceremony among Reform and certain Conservative Jews, admitting young people to adult membership in the Jewish community after completion of a prescribed course of study.

  3. something that confirms, confirm, as a corroborative statement or piece of evidence.

    His birth certificate served as confirmation of his citizenship.


confirmation British  
/ ˌkɒnfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of confirming

  2. something that confirms; verification

  3. a rite in several Christian churches that confirms a baptized person in his or her faith and admits him or her to full participation in the church

  4. (in the philosophy of science) the relationship between an observation and the theory which it supposedly renders more probable Compare hypothetico-deductive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • confirmational adjective
  • nonconfirmation noun
  • preconfirmation noun
  • reconfirmation noun
  • self-confirmation noun
  • superconfirmation noun

Etymology

Origin of confirmation

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French and Latin confirmātiōn-, stem of confirmātiō; confirm, -ation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There was no immediate confirmation or denial from Washington.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Several have been pushed out after legal battles because they lack Senate confirmation to serve as U.S. attorneys.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

A representative for Bridges didn’t respond immediately to The Times’ request for confirmation and comment.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Incoming Gov. Shin Hyun-song is unlikely to give many clues on future policy ahead of his confirmation hearing later this month, Oh said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“We’re hoping to have another doctor on board but we haven’t received confirmation yet.”

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys