witness 1 of 2

noun

ˈwit-nəs How to pronounce witness (audio)
Definition of witnessnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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2
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes witnessed the crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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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

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

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 witness
Noun
McIntire’s hat was found by investigators in the backyard of the first witness’ Leawood home the day after the fire. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 Police were able to access data from the witness' cellphone as well, according to the affidavit. —Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Cardi says this album will be deeply personal, reflecting the highs and lows she’s experienced in life — some of which fans have witnessed. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 Apr. 2025 As for fans’ reactions, Pascal can relate to the frustration at witnessing a favorite character die onscreen. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for witness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witness
  1. testimony
  2. attest
  3. notice
  4. testify
  5. experience
  6. evidence
  7. certify
  8. see
Noun
  • Much of the testimony has revolved around Read’s actions in the days and hours surrounding O’Keefe’s death.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • According to testimony at his 2023 preliminary hearing, he was involved in a dispute with neighbors over his dog, King, and got mad at Penn when Penn picked up the animal.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of testimony
Verb
  • Multiple users on Reddit attested to this, having experienced it firsthand during the ultra-brief pause on de minimis shipments from China implemented by the Trump administration in February.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 21 Apr. 2025
  • But as any seasoned CFO will attest, mastering the numbers is only part of the equation.
    — Pankaj Vasani, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of attest
Verb
  • Turn Overcoming Fear Into A Daily Game Make it into a game to notice your vulnerabilities and find your courage.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • After his College Hill debut, his skin cleared up and people noticed.
    — India Espy-Jones, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Witnesses in the trial included Jose Uribe, a New Jersey businessman who pleaded guilty last year and testified for the government.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Just days after being promoted to acting IRS commissioner, the whistleblower who testified publicly about investigations into Hunter Biden’s taxes is out again, according to three people familiar with the decision.
    — Fatima Hussein and Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of testify
Verb
  • As more than 100 wildfires burn across Florida, much of the state is experiencing a drought.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • But in the interim, residents are experiencing traffic delays as traffic lights stopped functioning, the shutdown of nearby grocery stores, and other disruptions.
    — Solcyré Burga, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of experience
Noun
  • Abrego Garcia should return to the United States, and the government should present evidence of his gang affiliation in court.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2025
  • There's no evidence of hundreds of thousands of people over 100 years old collecting benefits illegally.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of evidence
Verb
  • Since 2018, the property has been the Caribbean's first and only certified carbon-neutral hotel.
    — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Districts are already required to certify their compliance with existing federal law, something Gallagher noted in her ruling.
    — Cory Turner, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of certify
Verb
  • Horsetail is a great option for travelers with accessibility concerns, while those who want more can hike to Upper Horsetail Falls and see the cave that’s tucked behind the curtain of water.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Healthcare, industrials, and technology sectors also saw better earnings growth rates last week.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of see

Phrases Containing witness

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witlessness
witness
witnessed
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Cite this Entry

“Witness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witness. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on witness

Nglish: Translation of witness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about witness

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