1
as in attesting
to declare (something) to be true or genuine
a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
witnessed the crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in testifying
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in experiencing
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
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Recent Examples of witnessing
And his time was one too of witnessing the willful destruction of entire cultures, the taking of lands, the Trail of Tears.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
In the movie, which has already been touted as a 2027 Oscar contender by awards pundits, Tatum plays the father of a young girl who is traumatized after witnessing a horrific crime in a public park.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
In August 2018, Savannah, Annie and other family members celebrated Camron's retirement by witnessing his final flight as an F-16 pilot.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
She's had to create new lockdown procedures, is budgeting for security and now keeps the blinds closed to shield children from unwanted visitors and from witnessing immigration enforcement actions.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The Connecticut police accountability law that creates a legal obligation for police to intervene when witnessing abuse by other law enforcement officers applies to federal immigration agents, two senior police officials said Friday.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Beth de Araújo’s competition title, which is still seeking distribution, centers on an eight-year-old girl processing trauma after witnessing a horrific assault.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
Follow stone markers along the seafloor of the 650-foot trail, witnessing friendly sea turtles and a kaleidoscope of colorful fish living amongst a healthy coral reef system.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
In the movie, which has already been touted as a 2027 Oscar contender by awards pundits, Tatum plays the father of a young girl who is traumatized after witnessing a horrific crime in a public park.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
In August 2018, Savannah, Annie and other family members celebrated Camron's retirement by witnessing his final flight as an F-16 pilot.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
She's had to create new lockdown procedures, is budgeting for security and now keeps the blinds closed to shield children from unwanted visitors and from witnessing immigration enforcement actions.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The Connecticut police accountability law that creates a legal obligation for police to intervene when witnessing abuse by other law enforcement officers applies to federal immigration agents, two senior police officials said Friday.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Beth de Araújo’s competition title, which is still seeking distribution, centers on an eight-year-old girl processing trauma after witnessing a horrific assault.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
Follow stone markers along the seafloor of the 650-foot trail, witnessing friendly sea turtles and a kaleidoscope of colorful fish living amongst a healthy coral reef system.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
-
At his clinic, the licensor, posing as a patient, received a vaccine card attesting to her vaccination without ever being offered a shot, prosecutors said.—
Jessica Schreifels,
CNN Money,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The current requirement includes attesting on the form, under penalty of perjury, that the applicant is an American citizen.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Upon noticing a doorbell camera, the subject calmly seeks foliage from Guthrie’s porch area to try and obscure the lens.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Video footage shows the person approaching the front door, noticing the camera and trying to cover the lens with their hand.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The House Ways and Means committee discussed and heard testimony Wednesday on a welfare fraud bill, with the majority of those testifying speaking against the bill while the bill author and state officials doubled down on the need for the bill.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
During her trial, Link took the stand in her own defense, testifying about the moments leading up to the shooting.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your job is to decide what your child is experiencing.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Both hikers were treated for hypothermia and one of the hikers was also experiencing a diabetic emergency.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Last week, Skubal won a precedent-setting arbitration hearing against the Tigers, guaranteeing him a $32 million salary in 2026 after Detroit proposed $19 million.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And now the Senate is in recess, guaranteeing no funding compromise for DHS for at least a week.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Later on Monday, Croft recalled seeing a large tent standing in the middle of the roadway while numerous law enforcement officers investigated the scene.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The second citation refers to Christ’s reaction to seeing the tomb of Lazarus.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The report adds to the mounting evidence that winters around the world's largest surface freshwater system are undergoing rapid shifts due to climate change.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Jiménez, 31, missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Just how big is the risk that Rady Children’s Health will lose all federal funding if the court grants a temporary restraining order forcing the medical provider to resume gender-affirming care in San Diego and Orange counties?—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Bernthal plays doomed Sonny, who’s hoping to pay for his lover’s gender-affirming operation; his longtime pal and costar on The Bear plays volatile Sal, the loneliest guy in the world.—
Jenny Lumet,
Vanity Fair,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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