Affirm — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈfərm/ af·firm

Meaning & Definition of Affirm

Affirm (verb)

  1. validate, confirm
  2. to state positively
  3. to assert (something, such as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed

Affirm (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to state as a fact usually forcefully

    "unwilling to affirm without further study that the painting is an original Rembrandt"

    similar: allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant, put forth
    related: announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert
    opposite: deny, gainsay
    near: abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

  2. to state clearly and strongly

    "our business partner affirmed his trust in us, and we in turn promised not to let him down"

    similar: assert, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess
    related: advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, announce, blaze, call, proclaim, pronounce, say, accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline, underscore, advocate, champion, defend, espouse, support, uphold, assure, convince, persuade, explain, justify, rationalize, reaffirm, reassert
    near: minimize, understate, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Affirm

The most common words with a similar meaning to Affirm:

allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant, guarantee, lay down, put forth

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Affirm

Words with the opposite meaning of Affirm:

deny, gainsay

Related Words for Affirm

announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert, advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, blaze, call, pronounce, say, accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline

Near Antonyms of Affirm

abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter, minimize, understate, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

Word Forms of Affirm

Inflections: affirmed, affirming, affirms

Derived words: affirmable (adjective), affirmance (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Affirm

alteration (conformed to Latin affirmāre) of Middle English affermen "to fix firmly, make steadfast, establish, confirm, assert," borrowed from Anglo-French afermer, affermer, going back to Latin affirmāre "to strengthen, confirm, assert positively," from ad- ad- + firmāre "to strengthen, fortify," derivative of firmus "strong, durable, firm:1"

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Affirm

  • Topics: Common Actions / Verbs

Frequently Asked Questions about Affirm

What does "Affirm" mean?

"Affirm" means validate, confirm. As a verb, it is defined as: validate, confirm. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Affirm"?

Other words for "Affirm" include allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend and declare. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Affirm" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Affirm"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Affirm". Common alternatives include allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist and maintain.

What is the opposite of "Affirm"?

Antonyms of "Affirm" include deny and gainsay. Near antonyms include abandon, disavow, disclaim and disown.

How do you use "Affirm" in a sentence?

Examples of "Affirm" in a sentence: "unwilling to affirm without further study that the painting is an original Rembrandt"; "our business partner affirmed his trust in us, and we in turn promised not to let him down".

Is "Affirm" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Affirm" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Affirm"?

"Affirm" is pronounced /ə-ˈfərm/ and divided into syllables as af·firm.

What is the origin of the word "Affirm"?

"Affirm" comes from alteration (conformed to Latin affirmāre) of Middle English affermen "to fix firmly, make steadfast, establish, confirm, assert," borrowed from Anglo-French afermer, affermer, going back to Latin affirmāre "to strengthen, confirm, assert positively," from ad- ad- + firmāre "to strengthen, fortify," derivative of firmus "strong, durable, firm:1". First known use: 14th centuryt.