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

Other Word Forms

• confirmable adjective
• confirmability noun
• confirmer noun
• confirmingly adverb
• nonconfirming adjective
• preconfirm verb (used with object)
• reconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirmability noun
• confirmatory adjective

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

A week later it was confirmed that the embryo hadn't become a baby.

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Once this is settled, Voloshyn confirms Gill will be given a further $4,500 in the morning "and other 2 for David you have already with you."

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A US delegation including special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected in Moscow in the first half of next week, he confirmed.

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The discovery of a series of huge Neolithic pits have been confirmed at the Stonehenge World Heritage Site after initial research a few years ago.

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However, when the property ended up on the auction block, Spacey’s identity as its true owner was confirmed.

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Related Words

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