affirming
Declaring to be
Affirming describes words or actions that validate, support, or declare something to be true.
An affirming nod signals agreement.
Affirming feedback builds confidence.
In contemporary usage, affirming often relates to acceptance of identity: gender-affirming care, an affirming community for LGBTQ youth.
To be affirming is to make someone feel recognized and valued.
Confirm accuracy or truth
- validateConfirm as true
- certifyFormally verify as true
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
- substantiateProve something is true
authenticate · attest · ratify · uphold · prove · establish · demonstrate · evidence
Brief head tilt
- agreeHold the same view
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- admissionEntry or confession
concede · assent · consent · accede · avow · acknowledgment · concur · second
Consent to receive
- worthinessState of deserving recognition
- self-worthInternal sense of value
- belongingState of fitting in
- inclusionBeing made part
recognition · respect · dignity · seen · heard · understood · appreciated · valued
Giving emotional ease
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- hearteningInspiring confidence or cheer
- consolingGiving solace to another
- calmingInducing a settled state
hopeful · optimistic · positive · gentle · warm · tender · supportive · steadying
verify
Confirm accuracy or truth
- validateConfirm as true
- certifyFormally verify as true
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
substantiate · authenticate · attest · ratify · uphold · prove · establish · demonstrate · evidence · witness
nod
Brief head tilt
- agreeHold the same view
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
admission · concede · assent · consent · accede · avow · acknowledgment · concur · second · grant
acceptance
Consent to receive
- worthinessState of deserving recognition
- self-worthInternal sense of value
- belongingState of fitting in
inclusion · recognition · respect · dignity · seen · heard · understood · appreciated · valued · embraced
comforting
Giving emotional ease
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- hearteningInspiring confidence or cheer
- consolingGiving solace to another
calming · hopeful · optimistic · positive · gentle · warm · tender · supportive · steadying · grounding
approve
Formally accept or authorize
support · advocate · champion · espouse · embrace · commend · favor · accredit · recommend · vouch
motivate
Cause to act
boost · spur · foster · nurture · bolster · hearten · invigorate · energize · galvanize · reinforce
- saying yesyes, nodding, agreeing, sure, accepting
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- gendergender, male, female, masculine, feminine
- encouragementencourage, encouraging, praises, hang in there, supports
- kind traitskind, caring, compassionate, nurturing, tender
- verbal responsesreplying, responding, retorting, confirming, denying
affirmingdenying
Refusing to acknowledge
negating · refuting · contradicting · disavowing · rejecting
affirminginvalidating
Making something null
demeaning · belittling · disparaging · undermining · rejecting
affirmingreversing
Going in opposite direction
overturning · nullifying · vacating · revoking · annulling
- gender affirmingSupporting expressed identity
- LGBTQ affirmingSupportive of queer people
affirm, affirmation, affirmative, reaffirm, affirms, reaffirmed, disaffirm, affirmatively, reaffirms