attest

verb

ə-ˈtest How to pronounce attest (audio)
Definition of attestnext
1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine the appraiser attests that the lamp is indeed an original Tiffany

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact an eyewitness who will attest to my innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to verify
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of I'll attest that she was at the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attest are certify, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

When would certify be a good substitute for attest?

The words certify and attest can be used in similar contexts, but 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 attest?

The meanings of vouch and attest largely overlap; however, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When is witness a more appropriate choice than attest?

Although the words witness and attest 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

Example 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 attest As any Milwaukeean can attest, this January got really cold. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026 At over a year, Harrison attests this ultra-soft and unisex robe is her save-in-a-fire piece. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Feb. 2026 As General Motors can attest, collisions can spell the end of a self-driving business. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026 Ancient wisdom attests to this powerful creative spirit. —Andrew McDiarmid, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
  1. certify
  2. testify
  3. verify
  4. guarantee
  5. confirm
  6. affirm
  7. argue
  8. witness
Verb
  • Democrat Joe Biden won Georgia by about 11,800 votes in an election overseen by a Republican secretary of state and certified by a Republican governor.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • That meant bills were not paid, the levy was not certified, and the audit was not accepted.
    — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of certify
Verb
  • Jose Hidalgo testified after his arrest.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Mosseri is the first executive to testify in the landmark social media addiction trial against YouTube and Instagram parent company Meta in a suit brought by a now 20-year-old woman identified as Kaley.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of testify
Verb
  • The filing argues that custody is a nonwaivable jurisdictional requirement and that remote court proceedings would raise insurmountable problems, including the inability to verify identities, enforce perjury laws, or protect classified information.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Some accusations couldn't be verified, investigators wrote.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of verify
Verb
  • Whether Republicans and Democrats would be willing to pass another short-term DHS funding extension to buy time for a compromise isn't guaranteed, either.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Dalton is guaranteed $2 million in 2026, but Morgan has openly discussed his desire to add a younger, developmental quarterback to the mix behind Young.
    — Mike Kaye February 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of guarantee
Verb
  • Fulton County has also confirmed that some ballots were scanned multiple times during the recount, the affidavit says.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Law enforcement has yet to confirm any activity in the Bitcoin account, and USA TODAY has reached out to the FBI for comment.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • In response to the congressional request, Coupang affirmed its compliance.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
  • These bills have targeted gender-affirming care, bathroom access and trans people’s participation in sports.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of affirm
Verb
  • Proponents of banning firms such as Blackstone from buying single-family homes, many of whom are on the Left and populist Right, argue that those investors are crowding out the market for homebuyers.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Why pigeons can outperform drones in some missions The startup argued that pigeons offer practical advantages over conventional drones in specific environments.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • And his time was one too of witnessing the willful destruction of entire cultures, the taking of lands, the Trail of Tears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
  • As a result, people in Minnesota and across the country are exercising their First Amendment rights to peacefully witness, film and livestream ICE and CBP’s operations.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of witness

Browse Nearby Words

attenuating
attest
attestation
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Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of attest for Spanish Speakers

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