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as in to guarantee
to declare (something) to be true or genuine experts certified the letter as indeed having been written by Abraham Lincoln

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb certify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of certify are attest, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When would attest be a good substitute for certify?

The meanings of attest and certify largely overlap; however, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can vouch take the place of certify?

In some situations, the words vouch and certify are roughly equivalent. However, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When could witness be used to replace certify?

Although the words witness and certify have much in common, witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

Examples 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 certify That’s when states must appoint their electors (the folks who actually cast the vote for president in the electoral college), and the state executive (usually a governor) certifies them. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 It’s certified as USDA Organic, non-GMO Project Verified, and OU Kosher. Robin D. Schatz, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) are at each other's throats over which party can truly be trusted to certify the 2024 election, Axios has learned. Andrew Solender, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 Thousands of Trump supporters mobilized to block election certification Thousands of supporters of former president Donald Trump have been trained how to pressure local election officials to refuse to certify the vote ahead of November's election, according to a new report from Lawfare. Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for certify 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certify
Verb
  • Neither candidate is an incumbent, guaranteeing someone new will be joining the school board.
    Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The primary result underscored Trump’s influence in the district and almost guaranteed Wied's victory on Tuesday.
    Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The agency said the park’s enabling act prohibits it from authorizing housing for members of the public uncoupled to ranching.
    Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • But a dedicated federal funding source could enable similar roadway reboots nationwide.
    David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Finally, 93% of the deliveries were completed with no attempt to verify the buyer’s age.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Submit your name and address in the Chicago Board of Elections voter information lookup tool to not only view a sample ballot, but also verify your voter registration and locate your polling place.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The pastor-film producer has been quietly spotted out with his new lady, but didn’t formally affirm his relationship until Saturday (Nov. 2) at the 14th Annual Merge Awards.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Clips show Harris affirming her support for federal policies that allow federal prisoners access to medical care including gender-affirming hormone treatments and, potentially, transgender surgery.
    Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Unity Bancorp authorized a new repurchase plan for up to 500,000 shares.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
  • That would authorize him to detain and deport noncitizens in the United States older than 14.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The world is currently experiencing a fourth global coral bleaching event, with mass bleaching confirmed in at least 62 countries and territories worldwide from 2023 to early 2024, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Peter Guo, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Zhenya also checks the public records of all 50 states and confirms that he is not licensed to practice architecture anywhere in the U.S. and thus legally can’t call himself an architect.
    Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Barish also discovered that the organization Open House NY, where Han Lo had claimed to be executive director of a Los Angeles division in order to make his way into the Colonial — going as far as to build a website, now apparently deleted, attesting to his job there — had never heard of him.
    Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
  • As anyone who has ever played in the rain can attest, everything about the ball feels differently as the leather gets wet.
    Don Yaeger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world.
    Sean Illing, Vox, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Smith, 94, had hoped to re-establish housing policies that empowered environmental groups and local government following the development of People’s Park in Berkeley.
    Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near certify

Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certify. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on certify

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