Confirm vs. Approve: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on September 11, 2023
Confirm means to establish the truth or correctness of something, while approve means to officially accept or sanction.
Difference Between Confirm and Approve
Confirm primarily deals with the validation or verification of information or facts. It ensures that what is presented aligns with what is known or understood. If someone asks you to "confirm your attendance," they want you to verify that you will indeed attend. However, the word approval relates to the acceptance or sanctioning of something based on a set standard or authority. Approval implies endorsement, and when something is approved, it means it meets certain criteria or standards.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Furthermore, confirm often comes into play in situations where there might be doubt, uncertainty, or ambiguity. By confirming, one alleviates these uncertainties, making things clear and certain. On the other hand, approve is more decisive, indicating a judgment or evaluation. When a person or entity approves something, they are essentially saying it is correct, appropriate, or meets a specific benchmark.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
In contexts such as official settings, confirmations are often a precursor to approvals. For instance, in business or formal processes, one might first confirm the details of a proposal—ensuring all information is accurate. Only after this confirmation might the proposal move to a higher authority for approval. The act of approving often carries more weight and responsibility than merely confirming.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
The etymology of these words also provides insight into their distinctions. Confirm originates from Latin "confirmare" meaning "to make firm or solid," underscoring its relation to establishing truth or solidity. Approve, derived from Old French "aprover," highlights the act of proving or testing something, emphasizing judgment and acceptance.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Confirm vs. Approve Comparison Chart
Confirm vs. Approve Definitions
◉Approve
To officially accept as satisfactory.
The manager has to approve your leave request.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 05, 2023
◉Confirm
To validate or verify information.
Can you confirm the time of the meeting?
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 05, 2023
◉Confirm
To establish the truth or validity of something.
I can confirm the rumor is true.
Levi
Sep 05, 2023
◉Confirm
To support or establish the certainty or validity of; verify
confirm a rumor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To consent to officially or formally; confirm or sanction
The Senate approved the treaty.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To reaffirm the establishment of (a reservation or advance arrangement).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To consider right or good
"He came to ask me ... whether I approved his choice altogether" (Jane Austen).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To make firmer; strengthen
Working on the campaign confirmed her intention to go into politics.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To show, feel, or express approval
We didn't approve of the decision.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
(transitive) To officially sanction; to ratify; to confirm; to set as satisfactory.
Although we may disagree with it, we must nevertheless approve the sentence handed down by the court-martial.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
(transitive) To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of.
We approve the measure of the administration, for it is an excellent decision.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To consider worthy (to); to be pleased (with); to accept.
Her mother never approves of any of her boyfriends. She thinks nobody is good enough for her little girl.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To make firm or firmer; to add strength to; to establish; as, health is confirmed by exercise.
Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
Confirmed, then, I resolveAdam shall share with me in bliss or woe.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit — said especially of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To give new assurance of the truth of; to render certain; to verify; to corroborate; as, to confirm a rumor.
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale.
These likelihoods confirm her flight.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To show to be real or true; to prove.
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? ApproveFirst thy obedience.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To render valid by formal assent; to complete by a necessary sanction; to ratify; as, to confirm the appoinment of an official; the Senate confirms a treaty.
That treaty so prejudicial ought to have been remitted rather than confimed.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
Opportunities to approve . . . worth.
He had approved himself a great warrior.
'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true.
His account . . . approves him a man of thought.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To administer the rite of confirmation to. See Confirmation, 3.
Those which are thus confirmed are thereby supposed to be fit for admission to the sacrament.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
his story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
strengthen or make more firm;
The witnesses confirmed the victim's account
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.
They had not approved of the deposition of James.
They approved of the political institutions.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Approve
To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; - said esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
as of a person to a position;
The Senate confirmed the President's candidate for Secretary of Defense
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
administer the rite of confirmation to;
the children were confirmed in their mother's faith
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Confirm
To acknowledge with definite assurance.
She confirmed she received the email.
Jonathan
Sep 05, 2023
Confirm vs. Approve Frequently Asked Questions
Can confirm and approve be used interchangeably?
No, while both deal with agreement, confirm is about validation while approve is about acceptance.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What is the origin of confirm?
Confirm originates from the Latin word "confirmare," meaning "to make firm or solid."
Nolan
Sep 11, 2023
Does confirmation always lead to approval?
Not always; one can confirm details but might not necessarily approve them.
Lucas
Sep 11, 2023
Why might someone ask for a confirmation?
To verify or ensure the accuracy or truth of specific information.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What does confirm mean?
Confirm means to establish the truth or correctness of something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What's the primary function of approve?
Approve means to officially accept or sanction something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is approval more decisive than confirmation?
Yes, approval usually indicates a judgment or endorsement, making it more decisive.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
In what situations is approval sought?
Approval is often sought when official acceptance or endorsement is needed, such as in business decisions.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Can a plan be confirmed but not approved?
Yes, details of a plan can be confirmed as accurate, but the plan itself might not receive approval.
Lucas
Sep 11, 2023
Where does approve come from?
Approve is derived from the Old French word "aprover," which emphasizes judgment and acceptance.
Nolan
Sep 11, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
