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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 of certify in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web The Swiss company Art Recognition has used AI to help certify the authenticity of the art in question, made by Louise Bourgeois, Marianne von Werefkin and Mimmo Paladino. The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024 All North Carolina election results will be certified on Nov. 26. Katie Peralta Soloff, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 The compilation has since been certified diamond by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for moving at least 10 million equivalent units in the U.S. alone. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Padgett boasted that the Sun Princess is the only place outside of Italy where the gelato is certified authentic by the Italian government. Essence, 30 Oct. 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 2023 event itself was a great display of the game’s top players competing in round robin competition and guaranteeing semi-finals quality matches throughout the weekend.
    Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This also enables her husband to work, too, but there’s a catch (at least in OP’s mind).
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Open models also enable greater transparency and accountability.
    Tharin Pillay, TIME, 5 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
  • Educating employees—especially those in finance roles—about the risks of fraudulent invoices and how to verify payment requests would be wise for organizations to prioritize in light of novel cyberattacks like this.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 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
  • Four years ago, voters defeated a bond measure that would have authorized $15 billion for schools, including K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.
    Emma Whitford, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • The first place in California to authorize youth suffrage was Berkeley, where in 2016 more than 70% of voters approved a measure allowing students to have a voice in school board races.
    Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 3 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
  • This confirmed that the original milk-raiding birds were passing on their methods to various flocks.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Anyone who has been part of an organization that suffered a ransomware attack will attest that the time frame from attack to resolution is fraught with anxiety and uncertainty, turning stakeholder communication during this time into a veritable minefield.
    Sandra Pretorius, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
  • As Hall's fantasy owners throughout his career can attest, the speedy third-year back dominates the touches just about everywhere but inside the red zone.
    Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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 17 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on certify

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