AFFIRMING Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

affirming

verb

Definition of affirming

present participle of affirm

as in insisting

to state as a fact usually forcefully unwilling to affirm without further study that the painting is an original Rembrandt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in declaring

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

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 affirming In a separate case, the justices will examine whether parents have the right to challenge a state law that allows runaway teens to receive gender-affirming care without parental consent. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 The Academy of Pediatrics says decisions about gender affirming care should be made by patients and physicians, not government mandates. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni told reporters days later that Greece would not accept a deal affirming the United Kingdom’s ownership claim. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Initially seen as provocative, the bra actually serves the purpose of affirming women who have gotten breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy, Grede said. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published a policy statement affirming the importance of recess for students in all grades, K-12. — Rachel Deitch, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026 The Justice Department has sued California and other states over their trans-inclusive sports policies, and successfully threatened large hospitals into ending gender-affirming care programs. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Missouri would also still outlaw gender-affirming care for minors under a state law legislators passed in 2023. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 Still, Burney-Scott said, the journal article is lacking some perspectives — including discussion of early menopause due to gender-affirming care, or a medical intervention — that shows the limitations of current research. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affirming

Verb

In a 2024 interview with TIME, Netanyahu denied making the statement, insisting that the payments were meant to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of insisting

Verb

If Taipei refrains from crossing the ultimate red line of declaring formal independence, Beijing appears confident in its long-term strategy of integration.

— Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Citizenship revoked retroactively The October judgment goes beyond simply declaring that Acosta Torres is no longer an American citizen.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of declaring

Verb

Walter also is a defendant in multiple civil lawsuits filed by investors alleging fraud and breach of contract.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Ekō, a digital advocacy non-profit coalition, published a report alleging that Meta had favoured Bolsonaro’s campaign.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of alleging

Verb

But experts believe Kim's sister has been asserting her authority recently, too, and appearances like this week's are part of that effort.

— Anna Coren, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Reyes denied the government’s motion to recuse, asserting the facts contradict the administration’s criticism.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of asserting

Verb

New York state sued Kalshi and Polymarket this year, claiming that the companies each ran unlicensed sports gambling businesses.

— Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026
All this became possible without the raw data ever changing hands, with some vendors claiming accuracy gains of up to 40% from AI models trained inside them.

— Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of claiming

Verb

But this particular reality show tries to justify its controversial existence by proclaiming its seriousness with regards to psychology, philosophy, and current events.

— Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
California state legislators also passed a resolution in her honor, proclaiming September 4 as California Wildlife Day.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of proclaiming

Verb

Cooper has led wire-to-wire over Republican opponent Michael Whatley, maintaining wide polling and fundraising leads and forcing key GOP super PACs to pause spending in the race to focus elsewhere.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
While not unprecedented for a robot, what makes this feat interesting is that the robot achieved this using its legs while maintaining balance.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of maintaining

Verb

As Hinojosa gained in the polls this summer, Abbott reversed his position on data centers, announcing a moratorium on new developments and an audit on the use of water and energy.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
In her new role, Danielle will help celebrate her aunt's life and accomplishments while offering a personal perspective on the woman behind the music, according to a press release announcing the appointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of announcing

Browse Nearby Words

affirmed

affirming

affirms

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Affirming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affirming. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of affirming

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes