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 Any report from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank or investment banks like Goldman Sachs will attest to that. —William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 As renters in expensive cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco can attest, rent control hasn’t kept their cities particularly affordable. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 15 July 2025 And, travelers attest to their support and durability even on slick, rocky trails. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025 His ventures across the United States and Africa, leading cross-border tech development teams, attest to his commitment to innovation with impact. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 10 July 2025 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
  • He was certified to teach elementary school in Oklahoma in 2022 and Texas in 2023.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 July 2025
  • The wolves are living on a more than 2,000-acre ecological preserve, according to Colossal, that was certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the USDA.
    — Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Definition of certify
Verb
  • Brendan Carr testifies during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on President Biden's broadband takeover, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
    — Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • May: Maxwell settles Giuffre's lawsuit, a matter in which Epstein had repeatedly sought to avoid testifying.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 25 July 2025
Definition of testify
Verb
  • From finding quality products to verifying seller credibility and navigating custom craft templates, here are her top five tips for buying crafts on Etsy.
    — Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2025
  • The crime drama follows a handwritten manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, which makes its way from the Vatican library to a mob boss in New York, who turns to writer and Dante expert Nick Tosches to verify its authenticity.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Definition of verify
Verb
  • The landmark amendment guaranteed citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., even former slaves.
    — Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
  • What took shape instead were President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and the broader suite of Great Society programs—a sweeping expansion of the American welfare state, though one that stopped short of the jobs guarantee that Rustin, King, and Randolph had deemed essential.
    — Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Definition of guarantee
Verb
  • The victims were all affiliated with the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation, the Miami Yacht Club confirmed in an Instagram statement Monday.
    — David Chiu, People.com, 30 July 2025
  • Reid confirmed Tuesday that Moore had never played guard previously in his career.
    — Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2025
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • In the interview, Snyder affirmed the company’s plans to pull out of its Irvine headquarters and relocate to Baldwin Park, which were announced last winter.
    — Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 21 July 2025
  • Opening Minds Others are curating spaces that are culturally affirming and educational.
    — Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Definition of affirm
Verb
  • But Trump has questioned the strategic relationship, arguing that Tokyo takes advantage of Washington on trade while Americans pay to defend Japan under a long-standing security agreement.
    — Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
  • The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which King co-founded in 1957, opposed the release, arguing that the FBI illegally surveilled King and other civil rights figures.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 21 July 2025
Definition of argue
Verb
  • Since 2014, India has witnessed a significant political transformation with the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his emphasis on muscular nationalism and Hindu majoritarianism.
    — Sam Dalrymple, Time, 14 July 2025
  • To witness Fanny working was perhaps the greatest editorial privilege of my life.
    — Ezra Fox July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
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 4 Aug. 2025.

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