Confirm — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈfərm/ con·firm

Meaning & Definition of Confirm

Confirm (verb)

  1. to give approval to, ratify
  2. to give new assurance of the validity of, remove doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact
  3. to make firm or firmer, strengthen

Confirm (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of

    "several eyewitnesses who can confirm the defendant's account of what happened"

    similar: argue, attest, authenticate, bear out, certify, corroborate, substantiate, support, validate, verify, vindicate
    related: avouch, back (up), testify (to), vouch (for), witness, guarantee, warrant, affirm, assert, aver, avow, declare, profess, demonstrate, document, establish, prove, reinforce
    opposite: disprove, rebut, refute
    near: contradict, gainsay, deny, disavow, disclaim, challenge, contest, dispute, question

  2. to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

    "the senate must confirm an appointment to an ambassadorship"

    similar: accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant
    related: accept, acknowledge, affirm, certify, endorse, validate, bless, canonize, sanctify, initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on), allow, enable, legalize, license, pass, permit, reapprove
    opposite: decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto
    near: ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Confirm

The most common words with a similar meaning to Confirm:

argue, attest, authenticate, bear out, certify, corroborate, substantiate, support, validate, verify, vindicate, accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Confirm

Words with the opposite meaning of Confirm:

disprove, rebut, refute, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

Related Words for Confirm

avouch, back (up), testify (to), vouch (for), witness, guarantee, affirm, assert, aver, avow, declare, profess, demonstrate, document, establish, prove, reinforce, accept, acknowledge, endorse, bless, canonize, sanctify, initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on), allow, enable, legalize

Near Antonyms of Confirm

contradict, gainsay, disavow, disclaim, challenge, contest, dispute, question, ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, rebuff, refuse, spurn

Word Forms of Confirm

Inflections: confirmed, confirming, confirms

Derived words: confirmability (noun), confirmable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Confirm

Middle English, from Anglo-French cunfermer, from Latin confirmare, from com- + firmare to make firm, from firmus firm

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Confirm

Frequently Asked Questions about Confirm

What does "Confirm" mean?

"Confirm" means to give approval to, ratify. As a verb, it is defined as: to give approval to, ratify. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Confirm"?

Other words for "Confirm" include argue, attest, authenticate, bear out, certify, corroborate, substantiate and support. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Confirm" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Confirm"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Confirm". Common alternatives include argue, attest, authenticate, bear out, certify, corroborate, substantiate, support, validate and verify.

What is the opposite of "Confirm"?

Antonyms of "Confirm" include disprove, rebut, refute, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove and negative. Near antonyms include contradict, gainsay, disavow and disclaim.

How do you use "Confirm" in a sentence?

Examples of "Confirm" in a sentence: "several eyewitnesses who can confirm the defendant's account of what happened"; "the senate must confirm an appointment to an ambassadorship".

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

"Confirm" is a verb.

Is "Confirm" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Confirm" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Confirm"?

"Confirm" is pronounced /kən-ˈfərm/ and divided into syllables as con·firm.