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to affirm

to affirm

108 4.1
To state clearly that something is true or show support for it
  • verb
  • /əˈfɜrm/
translation icon : afirmar
  • In response to the challenge, he wanted to affirm that his team would not back down.
  • the court affirmed
  • affirm the decision
  • the Supreme Court affirmed

And when they gathered, they all had to affirm their belief system.

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Examples

  • Together, Lutherans and Catholics affirm that Scripture teaches the ongoing existence of the self between death and resurrection.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The mayor held a press conference to affirm her commitment to improving public safety.

  • I think it's important to affirm free will.

  • Do you affirm your love, one to the other?

  • And when they gathered, they all had to affirm their belief system.

  • And she just affirmed everything that God told me.

  • Yes, they're all there to affirm their faith in God, but they're also there to affirm their faith in each other.

  • Americans can affirm their core values yet recognize the hubris that inheres in them.

    Academic text (2011)
  • They now wish to affirm publicly their relationship and to offer each other the security that comes from vows sincerely made.

  • Student satisfaction with school is affirmed through documentation of fewer student disruptions and improved attendance.

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

to swear
vsto affirm
  • Formal
4.6

To make a serious promise, often in court

is a general declaration or support without the formal oath
to accept
vsto affirm
1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

is an active declaration or show of support rather than internal belief
to confirm
vsto affirm
1.8

To show that something is true by giving evidence

can be a plain declaration or support without providing proof
to support
vsto affirm
572 2.1

Give facts or evidence that show a claim is true

can be a simple statement or show of backing without evidence
to recognize
vsto affirm
  • Formal
377 1.4

To accept something as official or valid

is a general statement or support that may not be official
to acknowledge
vsto affirm
367 3.8

To admit that something is true or real

is an outward declaration or support, not only an admission
to assert
vsto affirm
229 3.9

To clearly and firmly say your needs or opinions

is a broader declaration or show of support without insisting
to proclaim
vsto affirm
  • Formal
229 5.3

To officially announce something to the public

is a general statement or support that may be less formal
to endorse
vsto affirm
183 4.2

To publicly show support for a person or idea

may be a private or neutral statement of truth or support
to maintain
vsto affirm
163 4.4

Say firmly that something is true

can be any statement or support, not necessarily defensive
to vouch
vsto affirm
99 5.0

Say that someone is honest or reliable because you know them

is a general declaration or support without personally guaranteeing it
to validate
vsto affirm
  • Formal
87 3.9

To make something officially acceptable by showing proof

is a statement or show of support rather than formal validation
to vouch for
vsto affirm
82 4.9

Say that a person or thing can be trusted

is a broader statement or support that may not be personal assurance
to attest
vsto affirm
  • Formal
57 6.6

To officially confirm that something is true, often in court

is a general declaration or support not necessarily backed by proof
to avow
vsto affirm
  • Formal
4 7.6

To say something openly, often in a formal way

may be private or public and also include simple support
to aver
vsto affirm
  • Formal
2 7.9

To say firmly that something is true

is a general statement or show of support, not always forceful
to asseverate
vsto affirm
  • Formal
9.9

To say something firmly and seriously

is a normal declaration or support without the extra emphasis

Antonyms

2.0

To say that something is not true

to refute
  • Formal
88 6.2

To show that an idea or statement is false using evidence

52 5.3

To make something no longer work or be true

How Strong

to confirm
1.8
to declare
  • Formal
950 3.7
to affirm
108 4.1
to assert
229 3.9
to state
1.6
claim
818 3.3
to suggest
1.6

Surface Forms

affirm infinitive
affirmed past
affirmed past participle
affirming present participle
affirms third person singular

Morphology

affirm = firm (opaque) = af + firm

Although the form shows 'af-' + 'firm', the meaning 'to state or declare' is not a predictable result of adding this prefix to 'firm' for average learners.

Etymology

Affirm comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and firmare 'make firm', and it is like the English word firm. So, to affirm something is to make that idea 'firm' by saying it clearly or showing you support it.