confirmed

adjective

con·​firmed kən-ˈfərmd 

1

a

: marked by long continuance and likely to persist

a confirmed habit

b

: fixed in habit and unlikely to change

a confirmed do-gooder

2

: having received the rite of confirmation

confirmedly

kən-ˈfər-məd-lē 

adverb

confirmedness

kən-ˈfər-məd-nəs 

-ˈfərm(d)-nəs

noun

Synonyms

• bred-in-the-bone
• chronic
• dyed-in-the-wool
• habitual
• inveterate

Choose the Right Synonym for confirmed

inveterate, confirmed, chronic mean firmly established.

inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable.

an inveterate smoker

confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform.

a confirmed bachelor

chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome.

a chronic complainer

Examples of confirmed in a Sentence

a confirmed grouch who never seems to smile

a confirmed tendency to exaggerate about everything

Recent Examples on the Web

There were no confirmed tornadoes or reports of damage from Monday morning’s storms. —Robert Shackelford, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024

Bryan follows Jeff Lynne’s ELO as a confirmed performer at 2025’s edition of BST Hyde Park. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024

The confirmed Harris supporters were happy to chat. —Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024

There are no confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease — a rare but deadly hemorrhagic disease similar to Ebola — outside of Rwanda, and officials have said that the current risk to the US is low. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing confirmed

• confirmed bachelor

Kids Definition

confirmed

adjective

con·​firmed kən-ˈfərmd 

1

: deeply established

a confirmed habit

2

: unlikely to change : habitual, chronic

a confirmed optimist