reaffirm

USAGE SUMMARY

'reaffirm' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the strength or importance of something that has already been stated. For example, "The president reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's to reaffirm himself after that explosion.

The Guardian

On World Press Freedom Day, 116 days after the attack at the office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that left 11 dead and 12 wounded, we, the undersigned, reaffirm our commitment to defending the right to freedom of expression, even when that right is being used to express views that we and others may find difficult, or even offensive.

The Guardian

Truly, few things reaffirm one's faith in the human spirit better than seeing people get involved in good ol' fashioned charity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Lib Dem leader will also reaffirm his commitment to the two rules under the charter of fiscal responsibility: balancing the cyclically adjusted current budget by 2017-18, and having debt falling as a percentage of GDP in 2016-17.

The Guardian

DRIVER: We ask this Court to uphold the Sixth Circuit decision to reaffirm the doctrine that's expressed in Hunter-Seattle, and to bring the 14th Amendment back to its original purpose and meaning, which is to protect minority rights against a white majority, which did not occur in this case.

The Economist

IT IS a rite of passage for every new French president to head to French-speaking Africa and reaffirm faith in la Francophonie.

The Economist

And as a new report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace points out, with tensions between China and Japan rising alarmingly over island disputes, Mr Xi may want to reaffirm smooth relations on China's long Russian flank.Staying cordial with Russia is a priority for China.

The Economist

I'm proud that I wrote those words in 1992, and I reaffirm them today".

The Economist

Now, when that ideology is showing its dangerous and shameful side, the party has suddenly chosen to reaffirm it.

The Economist

Indeed, the opposite seems at least as likely: permitting gay marriage could reaffirm society's hope that people of all kinds settle down into stable unions.The question of children in homosexual households adoption, especially is thorny.

The Economist

Robert Gates, President Barack Obama's defence secretary, met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts to reaffirm America's commitment to defending its East Asian allies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reaffirm" when you want to emphasize that a statement, commitment, or belief remains strong and unchanged, particularly after a period of doubt or challenge. It adds a sense of stability and resolve to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "reaffirm" when introducing a concept or commitment for the first time. "Reaffirm" implies a prior affirmation, so using it inappropriately can confuse the reader. Use "affirm" or "state" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reaffirm" is as a transitive verb. It requires an object to complete its meaning, indicating what is being affirmed again. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "reaffirm" is a transitive verb used to emphasize the continued validity of something previously stated, agreed upon, or believed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this word is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When writing, use "reaffirm" to convey stability and resolve, especially after doubts or challenges. However, avoid using it when introducing an idea for the first time; use "affirm" instead. Semantically related alternatives include ""reassert"", "reiterate", and "reconfirm", each with slightly different nuances of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reassert

Focuses on stating something again, often to emphasize its importance or counteract doubt.

restate

Highlights the act of expressing something in a different way to clarify or emphasize it.

reiterate

Emphasizes the repetition of a statement for clarity or emphasis.

reconfirm

Focuses on confirming something again, often after a period of uncertainty.

reinforce

Stresses the strengthening of an existing belief, idea, or system.

re-emphasize

Highlights that renewed emphasis is given to the subject matter.

validate again

Suggests providing additional proof or support to something already established.

underscore

Implies drawing attention to something to make it stand out or be more easily noticed.

attest to again

Formally declares something true or genuine for a second time.

substantiate anew

Establishes or supports with fresh evidence.

FAQs

How to use "reaffirm" in a sentence?

Use "reaffirm" to emphasize a commitment, belief, or statement that has been previously made. For example, "The president will "reassert" the importance of international cooperation".

What can I say instead of "reaffirm"?

You can use alternatives like "restate", "reiterate", or "reconfirm" depending on the specific context. Each alternative carries slightly different nuances related to emphasis and certainty.

Which is correct, "reaffirm" or "confirm"?

"Confirm" is used to state something is true, whereas "reaffirm" is used to state that something remains true or valid. Reaffirmation implies a statement was previously made.

What's the difference between "reaffirm" and "reassert"?

"Reaffirm" emphasizes the continuity of a previous affirmation, while ""reassert"" focuses on stating something again, often to counter doubt or opposition. "Reassert" can imply a stronger need to defend the statement.