affirm
gb/əfˈɚm/ us/əfˈɚm/
B2
English
~ 7800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
B2
action
1
state firmly that something is true
To say in a clear and strong way that something is true.
Usage pattern:
[someone] affirms that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners often use *say* or *tell* instead of *affirm* in formal writing. *Affirm* sounds more formal and is usually used when you want to sound serious or official, especially with *that*-clauses (e.g., "She affirmed that..."), not with indirect objects like "She affirmed me" (use "She assured me" instead).
Synonyms
assert (Often slightly stronger and more argumentative, suggesting a confident or forceful statement.)
Antonyms
deny (Refuses to accept or state that something is true, the direct opposite of affirming it.)
Collocations
affirm that
|publicly affirm
|firmly affirm
|affirm the fact that
|affirm a belief
|affirm under oath
Themes
communication
|law
|belief
Examples
- The witness affirmed that he had seen the suspect at the scene of the crime.
- In her speech, she affirmed that the company would not cut any jobs this year.
- He calmly affirmed his innocence again and again during the interview.
- The report affirms that climate change is already affecting local communities.
- She affirmed, in no uncertain terms, that the rumors were false.
Learner examples
- He affirmed that the story was true.
- The teacher affirmed that the test would be next week.
- She affirmed her side of the story to the police.
- The scientist affirmed that the results were correct.
- They affirmed that they understood the rules.
Verb
B2
action
2
show strong support or recognition
To say or show that a person, idea, or group is good, important, or right, so they feel seen and respected.
Usage pattern:
[someone] affirms [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *affirm* with *confirm*. *Affirm* here is about support and recognition ("affirm someone's identity"), while *confirm* is about checking if something is correct ("confirm a booking"). Also, avoid saying "affirm to" with a person as object in this sense; instead say "affirm someone's identity/value/rights".
Synonyms
validate (Stresses confirming someone's worth or feelings; *affirm* can sound slightly more public, moral, or principled.)
Antonyms
undermine (Weakens or attacks someone's value, rights, or confidence, the opposite of affirming them.)
Collocations
affirm someone's identity
|affirm support for
|affirm commitment to
|affirm the right to
|affirm the dignity of
|affirm shared values
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|society
Examples
- The new policy is meant to affirm the rights of all employees, regardless of background.
- Parents can affirm their children by listening carefully and taking their feelings seriously.
- The organization aims to affirm the identities of LGBTQ+ youth.
- She used the speech to affirm her commitment to social justice.
- Small acts of kindness can affirm a person's sense of worth.
Learner examples
- Good friends affirm each other's value.
- The leader affirmed his support for the plan.
- The school affirmed the rights of all students.
- Her words affirmed his choice to change jobs.
- The group wants to affirm the culture of local people.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
uphold a legal decision
When a higher court says that a lower court’s decision was right and keeps it in place.
Usage pattern:
[a court] affirms [a decision/verdict]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this legal meaning in everyday situations, like "My boss affirmed my choice" when they simply mean "agreed with". This technical sense is mainly used with courts, rulings, and judgments.
Synonyms
uphold (General legal term; *affirm* is more specifically used for appellate courts confirming earlier decisions.)
Antonyms
overturn (Describes a higher court changing or canceling a lower court’s decision, the opposite of affirming it.)
Collocations
affirm the ruling
|affirm the conviction
|court affirmed
|unanimously affirm
|affirm the judgment
|affirm the lower court's decision
Themes
law
|government
Examples
- The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling in a 6–3 decision.
- On appeal, the panel affirmed the conviction but reduced the sentence.
- The judgment was affirmed without a written opinion.
- The appellate court affirmed the verdict, finding no error in the trial.
- If the decision is affirmed, the law will remain in force.
Learner examples
- The higher court affirmed the first decision.
- The judge said the old ruling was affirmed.
- The appeal failed, and the court affirmed the result.
- The court affirmed the conviction of the driver.
- If the court affirms the ruling, nothing will change.
Grammar
Dictionary form
affirm
IPA
GB/əfˈɚm/
US/əfˈɚm/
Syllables & stress
af - firm (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (firm)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: affirm
- 3rd Person Singular: affirms
- Present Participle: affirming
- Past: affirmed
Word family
Forms
affirms
verb
affirming
verb
affirmed
verb
Core family
affirmation
noun B2
affirmative
adjective B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
deny
verb B1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.