affirm

[uh-furm]

verb (used with object)

to state or assert positively; maintain as true: to affirm one's loyalty to one's country; He affirmed that all was well.

to confirm or ratify: The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the lower court.

to assert solemnly: He affirmed his innocence.

to express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support: to affirm human rights.

verb (used without object)

Law.

to state something solemnly before a court or magistrate, but without oath.
to ratify and accept a voidable transaction.
(of an appellate court) to determine that the action of the lower court shall stand.

Origin of affirm

1300–50; < Latin affirmāre, equivalent to af- af- + firmāre to make firm (see firm¹); replacing Middle English a(f)fermen < Middle French afermer < Latin

Related formsaf·firm·a·ble, adjectiveaf·firm·a·bly, adverbaf·firm·er, nounaf·firm·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·af·firm, verbpre·af·firm, verbre·af·firm, verb (used with object)un·af·firmed, adjective

Synonyms for affirm

1. aver, asseverate, depose, testify. 2. approve, endorse.

Synonym study

1. See declare.

Antonyms for affirm

1. deny.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for re-affirm

restore, repeat, extend, resume, revive, prolong, reopen, continue, restate, reestablish, reaffirm, exhilarate, reinvigorate, recreate, refurbish, remodel, resuscitate, refit, disclose, claim

Examples from the Web for re-affirm

Historical Examples of re-affirm

On the contrary, I re-affirm it; but, I offer you a divorce.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars
John Reed Scott
Let us trace her from foundation to present eminence; re-affirm our family pledges and form resolutions new.
Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence
Various
Should he cough—as the native does when he wishes to attract your attention, or to re-affirm his forgotten presence?
Cupid in Africa
P. C. Wren

British Dictionary definitions for re-affirm

affirm

verb (mainly tr)

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

to uphold, confirm, or ratify

(intr) law to make an affirmation

Derived Formsaffirmer or affirmant, noun

Word Origin for affirm

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

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

Word Origin and History for re-affirm

also reaffirm, 1610s, "to confirm anew," from re- "back, again" + affirm. Meaning "to assert anew" is recorded from 1842. Related: Reaffirmed; reaffirming.

affirm

c.1300, from Old French afermier (Modern French affirmer) "affirm, confirm; strengthen, consolidate," from Latin affirmare "to make steady, strengthen," figuratively "confirm, corroborate," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + firmare "strengthen, make firm," from firmus "strong" (see firm (adj.)). Spelling refashioned 16c. in French and English on Latin model. Related: Affirmed; affirming.