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

• affirmer noun
• affirmable adjective
• affirmably adverb
• 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

District Judge Briony Clarke said the prosecution addressed the complainant according to their "affirmed gender name", while the defendant's position was that the "complainant is male".

From BBC

Modi on Monday affirmed ties with Moscow, telling Putin their countries "have walked together shoulder to shoulder".

From BBC

If the Supreme Court affirms the decision, it could trigger uncertainty in financial markets.

From BBC

"We want to be able to affirm that Kansas City can host the nation's royals."

From BBC

One of the administration’s staffers who pushed this theory of presidential supremacy was a young lawyer named John Roberts, and in 2020, the Roberts Court affirmed that interpretation in a 5-4 decision.

From Salon

Related Words

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