affirm

[uh-furm]

verb (used with object)

1. to state or assert positively; maintain as true.

   to affirm one's loyalty to one's country; He affirmed that all was well.

   Synonyms: testify, depose, asseverate, aver
   Antonyms: deny

2. to confirm or ratify.

   The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the lower court.

   Synonyms: endorse, approve

3. to assert solemnly.

   He affirmed his innocence.

4. to express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support.

   to affirm human rights.

5. to support (someone) by giving approval, recognition, or encouragement.

   She described the unhappy memory of her father, who had neither disciplined nor affirmed her.

verb (used without object)

1. Law.

   1. to state something solemnly before a court or magistrate, but without oath.

   2. to ratify and accept a voidable transaction.

   3. (of an appellate court) to determine that the action of the lower court shall stand.

affirm

/ əˈfɜːm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to declare to be true; assert positively

2. to uphold, confirm, or ratify

3. (intr) law to make an affirmation

Other Word Forms

• affirmable adjective
• affirmably adverb
• affirmer noun
• affirmingly adverb
• overaffirm verb
• preaffirm verb
• reaffirm verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirm¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin affirmāre, equivalent to af- af- + firmāre “to make firm” ( firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English a(f)fermen, from Middle French afermer, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirm¹

C14: via Old French from Latin affirmāre to present (something) as firm or fixed, assert, from ad- to + firmāre to make _firm ¹

Synonym Study

See declare.

Example Sentences

The agreement specifies that UVA and the government “affirm the importance of and their support for academic freedom.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bennett pressed the point, asking whether under the current law the militia George Washington federalized to put down the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 could “stay called up forever” — a position the government again affirmed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When an analyst asked if the operating margin for Elevance’s Medicaid business was deteriorating over the course of the year, an Elevance executive affirmed that it was.

Read more on Barron's

An appeals court affirms that federal law will be enforced.

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That view appeared to resonate with investors who took to Reddit and other platforms to cheer on the stock and affirm that they, too, were buying.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• assert 
• confirm 
• declare 
• guarantee 
• insist 
• maintain 
• profess 
• ratify 
• repeat