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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

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 certify The Indiana Department of Administration is required to certify state vendor contracts are able to lawfully work in the U.S., according to the executive order. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 Apple has also added a couple of extras, getting the M3 Ultra certified for 120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 (the M3 Max supports Thunderbolt 4) and supporting up to 512GB of RAM (M3 Max tops out at 128GB). Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025 The petition — sponsored by Charlie Angus, a member of Parliament who has in the past called for Musk to be investigated over potential election interference — needed at least 500 signatures to be certified for presentation to the House of Commons. Avery Lotz, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025 The organization offers training via members who are also certified as flight instructors, the group’s website says. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for certify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certify
Verb
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Deadline to apply for membership to guarantee voting eligibility for both rounds of the 77th Emmy competition and to secure member entry fee discount.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
  • After three straight years of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes dominating the tournament, a new champion is almost guaranteed to emerge.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This approach not only enables the brand to navigate shifting trends but also transforms art from a mere embellishment into a core ecosystem, making Loewe a symbol of cultural significance.
    WWD, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Digital platforms, including mobile apps, chatbots and social media, can enable companies to engage with customers in real time and provide instant responses to queries and concerns.
    Naeem Ghauri, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • There was no sanitizer measured in a three-compartment sink or in buckets with wipe cloths, and employees did not know how to properly verify the quantity of sanitizer using test strips.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Check road conditions: Before embarking on your journey, verify the current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.
    Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Cautious optimism grew earlier in the week as the twice-daily health updates affirmed that the pope was eating solid food, sitting up in his armchair, and even taking care of simple work tasks from the comfort of his hospital room.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Lee is appealing his conviction for election-law violations in 2022, and if two appellate courts affirm it, he will be barred from public office for 10 years.
    Ian Bremmer, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, Congress now routinely authorizes spending extensions for the fiscal year, using the previous year’s specific amounts if new spending isn’t agreed to.
    Richard McGahey, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Condominiums could ‘invest’ reserves Bradley’s bill also would authorize creation of investment boards consisting of at least two governing condo board members and two unit owners.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The study confirmed that the MMR vaccine did not increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Earlier this week, during a meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia has offered to participate in nuclear talks between the US and Iran.
    Mohammed Tawfeeq and Donald Judd, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Robot backflips are becoming commonplace, but a front flip is significantly more difficult than a backflip, as any gymnast can attest.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Three successive passes in close proximity, which could have caused the drone to lose control, attesting to a desire to restrict free air movement in common areas.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Darling details and tender textiles lined the runways, infusing designer collections with an empowering undercurrent and a subtle sense of feminine allure.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The immersive script development lab running concurrently will aim to empower a new diverse cohort of emerging screenwriters to explore their creative voices and hone their storytelling craft for the screen.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certify. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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