affirmed; affirming; affirms
1
2
: to assert (something, such as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed
The court affirmed his conviction.
3
: to show or express a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important idea)
laws affirming the racial equality of all people
1
: to testify or declare by affirmation (see affirmation sense 2) as distinguished from swearing an oath
2
: to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower court
Examples of affirm in a Sentence
We cannot affirm that this painting is genuine.
They neither affirmed nor denied their guilt.
laws affirming the racial equality of all peoples
They continued to affirm their religious beliefs.
The decision was affirmed by a higher court.
Recent Examples on the Web
Just prior to the vote on Senate Bill 14, which bans gender-affirming health care for transgender youth and ultimately became law, Department of Public Safety officers detained Evans for questioning, the complaint said.
—
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
There was a kind of collective effort to affirm that something terrible had happened, much worse than ordinary criminal damage.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Medicaid programs in slightly less than half of states currently cover gender-affirming care.
—Ali Swenson The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit alleges that HHS’s declaration seeks to coerce providers to stop providing gender-affirming care and circumvent legal requirements for policy changes.
—Ali Swenson, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affirm
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Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
There was a kind of collective effort to affirm that something terrible had happened, much worse than ordinary criminal damage.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Medicaid programs in slightly less than half of states currently cover gender-affirming care.
—Ali Swenson The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit alleges that HHS’s declaration seeks to coerce providers to stop providing gender-affirming care and circumvent legal requirements for policy changes.
—Ali Swenson, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affirm
Cite this Entry
“Affirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirm. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
affirm
verb
af·firm
ə-ˈfərm 
: to state positively or with confidence
affirmation
noun
ˌaf-ər-ˈmā-shən
Legal Definition
affirm
transitive verb
af·firm
ə-ˈfərm
1
: to assert as true or factual
1
: to make a solemn declaration under the penalties of perjury in place of swearing an oath to which one conscientiously objects
2
: to uphold the judgment or actions of a lower court
the appeals court affirmed
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