Synonyms of witness

witness 1 of 2

noun

ˈwit-nəs 

as in testimony

something presented in support of the truth or accuracy of a claim

the ruins are a compelling witness of the ancient civilization's cultural and aesthetic achievements

Synonyms & Similar Words

• testimony
• evidence
• proof
• testament
• documentation
• testimonial
• confirmation
• validation
• corroboration
• document
• attestation
• substantiation
• voucher
• (the) goods
• exhibit
• demonstration
• manifestation
• certificate
• identification
• verification
• illustration
• authentication

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rebuttal
• refutation
• charge
• allegation
• accusation
• disproof
• assumption
• presumption
• suspicion
• guess
• conjecture
• surmise

witness

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to attest

to declare (something) to be true or genuine

a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attest
• certify
• guarantee
• testify (to)
• affirm
• authenticate
• vouch (for)
• assert
• avouch
• warrant
• vow
• profess
• avow
• aver

2

as in to notice

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

witnessed the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• notice
• see
• spot
• eye
• regard
• sight
• view
• observe
• watch
• perceive
• remark
• note
• discern
• look (at)
• behold
• catch
• distinguish
• spy
• espy
• set eyes on
• get a load of
• identify
• descry
• lay eyes on
• consider
• pick out
• attend (to)
• glimpse
• examine
• heed
• mark
• inspect
• make out
• study
• scrutinize
• scan
• survey
• glance (at)
• mind
• pick up
• peer (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• neglect
• pass over
• miss
• overlook
• overpass

3

as in to testify

to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact

I witnessed to the fact that I had seen them together that night

Synonyms & Similar Words

• testify
• bear witness
• swear
• attest
• verify
• depose
• promise
• vouch
• vow

4

as in to experience

to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it

war changes anyone who has ever witnessed it first hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• experience
• undergo
• endure
• have
• see
• know
• feel
• suffer
• sustain
• encounter
• taste
• pass
• go through
• receive
• accept
• meet
• digest
• assimilate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb witness contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of witness are attest, certify, and vouch. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

When can attest be used instead of witness?

While the synonyms attest and witness are close in meaning, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can certify take the place of witness?

The meanings of certify and witness largely overlap; however, certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When could vouch be used to replace witness?

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

willing to vouch for her integrity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of witness

Noun

Prosecutors, witnesses and judges who were part of Jan. 6 criminal cases were subjected to frequent harassment, menacing and threats, according to testimony and statements made during criminal proceedings in the riot cases. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025

The news followed an Argentinian official ruling that eliminated suicide as a cause of death, as a toxicology report and witnesses cited drug use as context related to the death. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025

Verb

This year, Grace has been consistently uncovering new dimensions of her artistry, a process that is both inspiring and rewarding to witness as her teacher. —Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025

These past months have witnessed significant changes in American journalism. —Roger Ream, National Review, 16 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing witness

• bear witness