ratify

rat·i·fy

verb \ˈra-tə-ˌfī\

rat·i·fiedrat·i·fy·ing

Definition of RATIFY

transitive verb

: to approve and sanction formally : confirm <ratify a treaty>

— rat·i·fi·ca·tion \ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— rat·i·fi·er \ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun

Examples of RATIFY

1. A number of countries have refused to ratify the treaty.
2. <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.>

Origin of RATIFY

Middle English ratifien, from Anglo-French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus determined, from past participle of reri to calculate — more at reason

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RATIFY

Synonyms: accredit, approbate, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK (or okay), approve, sanction, warrant

Antonyms: decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

Related Words: accept, acknowledge, affirm; certify, endorse (also indorse), validate; bless, canonize, sanctify; initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on); allow, enable, legalize, license (also licence), pass, permit; reapprove

Near Antonyms: ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook; rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism