affirm
12 synonyms and 5 antonyms for affirm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To state something confidently and firmly as true.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use affirm
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
affirm a decision
affirm one’s belief
Etymology
From Old French afermer, from Latin affirmare, "to make firm" — built from ad- plus firmus, "firm."
Full origin of affirm →Frequently asked questions
What does “affirm” mean?
The word “affirm” means to state something confidently and firmly as true. In plain terms, to say something is definitely true, or, in law, to formally uphold a previous decision.
How do you pronounce “affirm”?
“Affirm” is pronounced uh-FURM (/əˈfɝm/ in IPA).
How do you use “affirm” in a sentence?
Here is “affirm” used in a sentence: “He affirmed that he had never seen the document before.”
What is another word for “affirm”?
Words with a similar meaning to “affirm” include validate.
What is the opposite of “affirm”?
The opposite of “affirm” — its antonyms — are disaffirm, deny, repudiate and invalidate.
What part of speech is “affirm”?
“Affirm” is a verb.
Where does the word “affirm” come from?
The word “affirm” comes from Latin. From Old French afermer, from Latin affirmare, "to make firm" — built from ad- plus firmus, "firm.".
Is “affirm” a common word?
“Affirm” is an uncommon word in modern English.
