affirm

/əˈfʌrm/

/əˈfʌm/

Other forms: affirmed; affirms; affirming

To affirm something is to give it a big "YES" or to confirm that it is true.

The verb affirm means to answer positively, but it has a more weighty meaning in legal circles. People are asked to swear an oath or affirm that they will tell the truth in a court of law. Lawyers may ask people to affirm facts, and judges may affirm rulings. In these cases, affirm means to verify or attest to the validity of something.

Definitions of affirm

1. verb

   declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
   synonyms: assert, aver, avow, swan, swear, verify

   types:

   hold

   assert or affirm

   claim, take

   lay claim to; as of an idea

   attest

   authenticate; affirm to be true, genuine, or correct, as in an official capacity

   declare

   state firmly

   protest

   affirm or avow formally or solemnly

   assure, tell

   inform positively and with certainty and confidence

   type of:

   declare

   state emphatically and authoritatively
2. verb

   say yes to
   types:

   claim

   assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

   reaffirm

   affirm once again

   confirm, reassert

   strengthen or make more firm

   defend, maintain

   state or assert

   pretend, profess

   state insincerely

   contend, postulate

   maintain or assert

   make out

   try to establish

   purport

   have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming

   profess

   practice as a profession, teach, or claim to be knowledgeable about

   charge

   make an accusatory claim

   maintain, uphold

   support against an opponent

   justify, warrant

   show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for

   vindicate

   maintain, uphold, or defend

   verify

   attach or append a legal verification to (a pleading or petition)

   corroborate, validate

   give evidence for

   reconfirm

   confirm again
3. verb

   establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
   synonyms: confirm, corroborate, substantiate, support, sustain

   antonyms:

   negate

   prove negative; show to be false

   types:

   back, back up

   establish as valid or genuine

   vouch

   give supporting evidence

   verify

   confirm the truth of

   demonstrate, establish, prove, shew, show

   establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment

   document

   support or supply with references

   validate

   prove valid; show or confirm the validity of something

   check, check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off

   put a check mark on or near or next to

   ascertain, assure, check, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it

   be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

   check

   verify by consulting a source or authority

   prove oneself

   show one's ability or courage

   prove

   prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof

   source

   specify the origin of

   contradict, negate

   prove negative; show to be false

   stultify

   prove to be of unsound mind or demonstrate someone's incompetence