affirm

verb

ə-ˈfərm How to pronounce affirm (audio)
Definition of affirmnext
1
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully unwilling to affirm without further study that the painting is an original Rembrandt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly our business partner affirmed his trust in us, and we in turn promised not to let him down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affirm distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of affirm are assert, avow, declare, and protest. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

When would assert be a good substitute for affirm?

While in some cases nearly identical to affirm, assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When might avow be a better fit than affirm?

Although the words avow and affirm have much in common, avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

When can declare be used instead of affirm?

While the synonyms declare and affirm are close in meaning, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

When is it sensible to use protest instead of affirm?

The words protest and affirm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affirm But the city ended up being deeply affirming for Harris. —Amelia Edelman, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026 In my opinion, that kind of affirms the validity of our findings. —Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026 Goodell affirmed his support for the artist at Monday’s wide-ranging Super Bowl press conference. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 According to the lawsuit, HHS's declaration seeks to force providers to stop providing gender-affirming care and circumvent legal requirements for policy changes. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for affirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affirm
  1. insist
  2. declare
  3. allege
  4. assert
  5. claim
  6. proclaim
  7. maintain
  8. profess
Verb
  • Also, the People of our Country are insisting on Citizenship, and No Mail-In Ballots, with exceptions for Military, Disability, Illness, or Travel.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The outbreaks have mostly affected children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • They might also be saddened that 250 years after declaring independence from a tyrannical British king, the American system of government has arguably less democratic accountability for its leaders than the British one.
    — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of declare
Verb
  • Long before news broke of lawsuits alleging a widespread State Farm bad faith scheme to wrongly deny Oklahoma hail claims, Coppermark’s petition accused insurance companies and the insurance department of working in cahoots.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Rx Kids has garnered bipartisan support though House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has alleged the program gives cash payments to non-citizens to have children.
    — Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of allege
Verb
  • Demand independent confirmation of whatever statements are asserted as facts.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Going to the Super Bowl is about participating in monoculture while simultaneously asserting your singularity.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of assert
Verb
  • Aljorna, the affidavit claimed, hit a light pole before fleeing from the car, with an ICE agent chasing him on foot toward the home.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Call 1-800-955-6886 to schedule an appointment to claim your prize.
    — Chris Sims, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of claim
Verb
  • With two Oscars, two BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, the Venice Volci Cup, and even a Kid's Choice Award to her name, Stone isn't exactly in need of a typical actor's website that proclaims her greatness and announces her availability for more work.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Fortune was supposed to favor them, ex-Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison proclaimed after the 2025 draft lottery.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of proclaim
Verb
  • Members of the final 18-person jury panel will be allowed to maintain their normal social media use throughout the trial.
    — CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Authorities stressed that the game sites — located in Lombardy on the Swiss border, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto and Val di Fiemme in Trentino — remain safe, well-maintained and closely monitored.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of maintain
Verb
  • This Valentine’s Day, Ben Smith and Kelly Dennis will profess their love for each other — and New York City — in front of loved ones, strangers and possibly Batman.
    — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Cater to special interests Conservatives used to profess that closer-to-home local government was best, but it has been abandoned across the nation.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of profess

Browse Nearby Words

affinity
affirm
affirmation
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Cite this Entry

“Affirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affirm. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on affirm

Nglish: Translation of affirm for Spanish Speakers

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