ratify
verb
rat·i·fy
ˈra-tə-ˌfī 
ratified; ratifying
: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
Synonyms
Examples of ratify in a Sentence
A number of countries have refused to ratify the treaty.
Lincoln's home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Attorneys for Hunter Biden had rested their hopes for dismissal in large part on their claim that an immunity provision in their plea deal, which ultimately fell apart, was ratified when both parties signed it.
—
Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Called the Treaty of Paris, the agreement was officially ratified on September 3, 1783.
—Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
However, the 18 pacts with Native nations in California were never ratified by the federal government.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
The Soviets became more aggressive globally, and a wary U.S. Congress, having lost faith in Moscow’s sincerity, declined to ratify SALT II, the arms control treaty that Carter’s team had painstakingly negotiated.
—Matt Pottinger, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2024
Slovakia's president has limited power but does ratify international treaties, appoint judges, serves as commander in chief of the armed forces and can veto laws passed by parliament.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
McGoldrick said on Friday that Israel had not yet ratified the decision to open the crossing, and that once approved, the checkpoint would not be operational for a few weeks.
—Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The American Federation of Musicians has voted to ratify its new contract with the major studios, which provides for streaming residuals and protections from artificial intelligence.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024
The local agreements are not binding until the entire Basic Agreement is ratified, which IATSE hopes to have done before the July 31 expiration.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Called the Treaty of Paris, the agreement was officially ratified on September 3, 1783.
—Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
However, the 18 pacts with Native nations in California were never ratified by the federal government.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
The Soviets became more aggressive globally, and a wary U.S. Congress, having lost faith in Moscow’s sincerity, declined to ratify SALT II, the arms control treaty that Carter’s team had painstakingly negotiated.
—Matt Pottinger, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2024
Slovakia's president has limited power but does ratify international treaties, appoint judges, serves as commander in chief of the armed forces and can veto laws passed by parliament.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
McGoldrick said on Friday that Israel had not yet ratified the decision to open the crossing, and that once approved, the checkpoint would not be operational for a few weeks.
—Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The American Federation of Musicians has voted to ratify its new contract with the major studios, which provides for streaming residuals and protections from artificial intelligence.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024
The local agreements are not binding until the entire Basic Agreement is ratified, which IATSE hopes to have done before the July 31 expiration.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ratify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ratify
Cite this Entry
“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ratify
verb
rat·i·fy
ˈrat-ə-ˌfī
ratified; ratifying
: to give legal or official approval to
ratify a treaty
Legal Definition
ratify
transitive verb
rat·i·fy
ˈra-tə-ˌfī
ratified; ratifying
: to make valid or effective
especially
: to adopt or affirm (as the prior act or contract of an agent) by express or implied consent with the effect of original authorization
unable to rescind the contract because he ratified it by accepting the benefits
compare reform
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