as in testimonies
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in attests
to declare (something) to be true or genuine
a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
witnessed the crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in experiences
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
war changes anyone who has ever witnessed it first hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 witnesses
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Get contact information for witnesses.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
The crashes remain under investigation, and CSP urged any witnesses to contact their dispatch line at (303) 239-4501 and reference case numbers 1A260390 and 1A260391.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Those policies undermine trust, discourage victims and witnesses from coming forward, and make communities less safe.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
There had been witnesses over the four month trial the previous spring and summer that supported his claim.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Any witnesses' names, addresses and telephone numbers.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
Despite receiving hundreds of tips — and interviewing dozens of possible witnesses and victims — the Justice Department has not charged anyone else in connection with Epstein’s crimes besides Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Despite the internet shutdown, details of the brutal crackdown continued to emerge with witnesses, human rights activists and medical professionals telling CNN that security forces unleashed widespread violence against protesters.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The brand will be featured on match clocks, countdown trackers, and other on-site and digital signage throughout the 2026 PPL season, which witnesses five events across North America, beginning in New York City in July and ending with the City’s Cup Finals in Miami.
—Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
In her very first on-screen role, young Mason Reeves offers up a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Anyone who witnesses or suspects that an animal is being neglected or abused is asked to call the SPCA's Confidential Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The teacher witnesses the car wreck and runs inside to retrieve her phone, using a rock to keep the door propped open.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
More impressive will be the execution of the heavy subject matter, as Reeves witnesses a horrific crime and tries to recover her fragile sense of security.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Healy expects to file a bill to provide some criminal immunity from drug charges to anyone who witnesses someone else suffering an overdose.
—Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch, 12 Jan. 2026
Set in early-'60s Louisiana, the film stars Jurnee Smollett as Eve, a 10-year-old girl who witnesses a shocking incident in her home that shakes her to her core.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
Noun
Get contact information for witnesses and photos of injuries.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Get contact information for witnesses.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
The crashes remain under investigation, and CSP urged any witnesses to contact their dispatch line at (303) 239-4501 and reference case numbers 1A260390 and 1A260391.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Those policies undermine trust, discourage victims and witnesses from coming forward, and make communities less safe.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
There had been witnesses over the four month trial the previous spring and summer that supported his claim.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Any witnesses' names, addresses and telephone numbers.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
Despite receiving hundreds of tips — and interviewing dozens of possible witnesses and victims — the Justice Department has not charged anyone else in connection with Epstein’s crimes besides Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Despite the internet shutdown, details of the brutal crackdown continued to emerge with witnesses, human rights activists and medical professionals telling CNN that security forces unleashed widespread violence against protesters.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
Beth de Araújo’s Josephine — a drama that centers on an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a rape in Golden Gate Park and the fallout that comes as her parents, played by Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, struggle to find a path forward — won two awards during the Sundance Film Festival’s closing ceremony.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The brand will be featured on match clocks, countdown trackers, and other on-site and digital signage throughout the 2026 PPL season, which witnesses five events across North America, beginning in New York City in July and ending with the City’s Cup Finals in Miami.
—Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
In her very first on-screen role, young Mason Reeves offers up a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Anyone who witnesses or suspects that an animal is being neglected or abused is asked to call the SPCA's Confidential Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The teacher witnesses the car wreck and runs inside to retrieve her phone, using a rock to keep the door propped open.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
More impressive will be the execution of the heavy subject matter, as Reeves witnesses a horrific crime and tries to recover her fragile sense of security.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Healy expects to file a bill to provide some criminal immunity from drug charges to anyone who witnesses someone else suffering an overdose.
—Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch, 12 Jan. 2026
Set in early-'60s Louisiana, the film stars Jurnee Smollett as Eve, a 10-year-old girl who witnesses a shocking incident in her home that shakes her to her core.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnesses
Noun
-
And even now, four years after juries across two states confirmed the testimonies from survivors by finding Kelly guilty on a range of heinous charges, Kelly’s presence looms over his hometown.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The trial went on for months, and included some new testimonies, including that of O'Keefe's mother, Peggy.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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 managing director at the luxe Bluefields Bay Villas on the island's relaxed and radiant southwestern coast, Moncure attests that this is a part of the island that never feels crowded, even as cruise ships and busy all-inclusives bring thousands of tourists elsewhere in Jamaica.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the footage, the person approaches the front door, notices the camera and tries to cover the lens with their hand.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hart also shared that staying hydrated has been a challenge for her over the years, joking that her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson, notices her dislike for drinking water.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
McFadden testifies in Raleigh On Monday, McFadden tesitified to lawmakers in Raleigh on jail deaths generally, as well as other topics.—
Ryan Oehrli
February 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry testifies before a joint hearing of the House Transportation Committee and the Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Not everyone experiences passionate love, the results show, but the chances increase with age.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
14 Feb. 2026
-
When our community experiences acts of violence or disruption that threaten public safety, the need for stability, experience, and public trust in the courts becomes even more critical, particularly in a large, high-volume jurisdiction like Mecklenburg County.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even better, the super-soft insert guarantees all-day comfort, and the flexible shape can mold to your feet or be curled in a ball and easily packed into a carry-on.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Sweden, which had already lost 5-3 to Slovakia Saturday, cannot be seeded higher than seventh after Finland’s win, which guarantees that Sweden will play in the qualification round on Tuesday.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Subsequently, the filmmaker became enamored with airplanes and transferred that same fascination onto Lil Ant, who eyes the planes overhead with palpable yearning and, at one point, shoplifts a toy plane from a store.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Talarico’s numbers are notable and underscore the Senate Democratic primary will be hard-fought as the party eyes the chance to flip a Senate seat in the Lone Star State.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Surveys show trust in the agencies Kennedy leads is falling, rather than rising, as the country’s health landscape undergoes dramatic change.—
Ali Swenson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
-
If a Norwegian baby undergoes a long hospitalization due to complications from RSV, the only thing their parents have to worry about is their sick baby.—
Ariana Hendrix,
STAT,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Witnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnesses. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
