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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 Trump has promised to pardon those who have been charged in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's victory. Tyler Pager and Meryl Kornfield The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 6 Dec. 2024 And county elections officials are only this week facing deadlines to complete their canvassing and certify the results in their jurisdictions. Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2024 Both Joby and its largest American rival Archer expect to be FAA certified and flying commercially by 2026. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2024 Secretary of State Shirley Weber will certify the results on Dec. 13. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for certify 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certify
Verb
  • But successful repeal is very far from guaranteed, for several reasons.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Building an inclusive network of peers can guarantee access to a wide range of ideas, experiences and viewpoints to enrich your work and inspire growth.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In February, a ransomware group called Black Cat executed a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a clearinghouse for medical claims that enables payments to doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies.
    Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
  • TikTok launched TikTok Shop — a feature that enables users to buy directly within the app — in the U.S. last year, and since then small-business owners, celebrities and major retailers have been using the livestreaming function to boost their sales and engage with customers in real time.
    Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Education Department, facing a mandate from Congress to overhaul the FAFSA, vastly underestimated the number of people from mixed-status families who would need to have their identities manually verified, a government watchdog found.
    Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Newsweek was not able to independently verify the veracity of the clip.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Research like this only affirms that merchants and retailers offering this form of financing can benefit through higher sales.
    Gene Marks, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
  • This trip, framed by the powerful performances and speeches at the induction ceremony, affirmed that The Land is not just a city of rock and roll, but a place where history, culture, and community come together.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Getting to Bhutan Two airlines — Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines — serve Bhutan, and only a select few pilots are authorized to fly into Paro International Airport, because navigating the (breathtaking) mountain peaks and valleys is so challenging.
    Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Specifically, the bill permanently extends certain flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19.
    Judy Stone, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • However, up until now, the details of what this would entail had not been confirmed.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • December 11 is also the deadline for states to confirm their November 5 election results with what’s known as Certificates of Ascertainment.
    Andrew Torgan, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • There are also myriad illegitimate purposes for fentanyl, as anyone remotely familiar with America's depressing drug overdose crisis can sadly attest.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The Blackhawks are guaranteed nothing in this tear-down rebuild, as the beleaguered Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings can attest.
    Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • By fostering a culture of curiosity, leaders enhance their decision-making and empower their teams to achieve extraordinary results.
    Hunter McMahon, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Huang added that despite the majority of Taiwanese supporting a recent reform to empower the legislature, which the ruling party opposed, it was blocked by the island's Constitutional Court, which is packed with government appointees with little independence.
    Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near certify

Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certify. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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