ratify
verb
rat·i·fy
ˈra-tə-ˌfī 
ratified; ratifying
: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
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
About six months after Granger's arrival in Galveston, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationwide was ratified.
—
Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026
The following year, Congress ratified the reservation.
—Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
About six months after Granger’s arrival in Galveston, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationwide was ratified.
—Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to those who were held in bondage, was ratified in December 1868 and the 15th Amendment, extending voting rights to Black men was ratified in February 1870.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratify
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Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026
The following year, Congress ratified the reservation.
—Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
About six months after Granger’s arrival in Galveston, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationwide was ratified.
—Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to those who were held in bondage, was ratified in December 1868 and the 15th Amendment, extending voting rights to Black men was ratified in February 1870.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratify
Cite this Entry
“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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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