confirm

[kuhn-furm]

verb (used with object)

1. to establish the truth, accuracy, validity, or genuineness of; corroborate; verify.

   This report confirms my suspicions.

   Synonyms: validate, authenticate, substantiate, prove
   Antonyms: disprove

2. to acknowledge with definite assurance.

   Did the hotel confirm our room reservation?

3. to make valid or binding by some formal or legal act; sanction; ratify.

   to confirm a treaty;

   to confirm her appointment to the Supreme Court.

   Antonyms: invalidate

4. to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly.

   Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

   Synonyms: fix
   Antonyms: shake

5. to strengthen (a person) in habit, resolution, opinion, etc..

   The accident confirmed him in his fear of driving.

6. to administer the religious rite of confirmation to.

confirm

/ kənˈfɜːm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to prove to be true or valid; corroborate; verify

2. (may take a clause as object) to assert for a second or further time, so as to make more definite

   he confirmed that he would appear in court

3. to strengthen or make more firm

   his story confirmed my doubts

4. to make valid by a formal act or agreement; ratify

5. to administer the rite of confirmation to

Other Word Forms

• confirmatory adjective
• confirmer noun
• confirmable adjective
• confirmability noun
• confirmingly adverb
• nonconfirming adjective
• preconfirm verb (used with object)
• reconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirmability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin confirmāre “to strengthen, confirm” ( con-, firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English confermen, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

C13: from Old French confermer, from Latin confirmāre, from firmus _firm ¹

Example Sentences

A White House official confirmed to the BBC that the president was expected to attend.

From BBC

Some Northern Ireland energy customers face changes to their bills after price rises and cuts were confirmed following a review by the Utility Regulator.

From BBC

Bishop Montgomery has 24 transfer students this year, and a booster who said he had paid parents to move their sons to Narbonne confirmed he also was helping Bishop Montgomery.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times confirmed the incident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, which said the driver, who is from Westminster, was verbally and physically assaulted.

From Los Angeles Times

The Foreign Office said it was speaking to the 19-year-old's family but confirmed only one in-person visit had been made to the prison, on 16 May.

From BBC

Related Words

• affirm 
• approve 
• back 
• certify 
• corroborate 
• endorse 
• establish 
• explain 
• sign 
• substantiate 
• support 
• uphold 
• verify