warrant

²warrant

verb

Definition of WARRANT

transitive verb

1

a : to declare or maintain with certainty : be sure that <I'll warrant he'll be here by noon> b : to assure (a person) of the truth of what is said

2

a : to guarantee to a person good title to and undisturbed possession of (as an estate) b : to provide a guarantee of the security of (as title to property sold) usually by an express covenant in the deed of conveyance c : to guarantee to be as represented d : to guarantee (as goods sold) especially in respect of the quality or quantity specified

3

: to guarantee security or immunity to : secure <I'll warrant him from drowning — Shakespeare>

4

: to give warrant or sanction to : authorize <the law warrants this procedure>

5

a : to give proof of the authenticity or truth of b : to give assurance of the nature of or for the undertaking of : guarantee

6

: to serve as or give adequate ground or reason for <promising enough to warrant further consideration>

Examples of WARRANT

1. The writing was poor, but it hardly warrants that kind of insulting criticism.
2. The punishment he received was not warranted.

Origin of WARRANT

Middle English, waranten to act as protector, guarantee, from Anglo-French warentir, garantir, from warant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to WARRANT

Synonyms: guarantee, guaranty

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

Related Words: attest, authenticate, avouch, certify, testify (to), vouch (for), witness; assure, bond, contract, covenant; pledge, plight, stipulate, swear, undertake, vow; adhere, assert, aver, avow, declare, insist; insure

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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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