attest

Definition of attestnext
1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine the appraiser attests that the lamp is indeed an original Tiffany

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact an eyewitness who will attest to my innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attest are certify, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

When would certify be a good substitute for attest?

The words certify and attest can be used in similar contexts, but certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When could vouch be used to replace attest?

The meanings of vouch and attest largely overlap; however, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When is witness a more appropriate choice than attest?

Although the words witness and attest have much in common, witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attest This is not the only palace hotel on the Bosphorus, as views from the water will attest, but its smaller size compared to the competition gives it the exclusivity for which Four Seasons properties are known. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 As many old house owners can attest, renovating an older home comes with a lot of expenses. Caroline Utz, The Spruce, 2 June 2026 The weather this year has been a factor, players have attested, as temperatures have surged into the 90-degree range. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 Local baseball legend Derrek Lee attested that, after visiting all 30 big-league cities, West Sacramento deserves to be among them. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • For example, the deal with blue-collar workers includes 10% add-on pay to boat operators who get certified as an emergency medical technician.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2026
  • Plus, their windows are ENERGY STAR certified.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Lincoln police captain and former Sacramento police gang investigator Zach Eaton testified that Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin, surviving defendants facing murder charges, were among the players in Sacramento’s complex web of street gangs at the time of the city’s worst-ever mass shooting.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • Bastien was listed in court documents as a potential witness in the prosecution’s case against Noreus, but did not testify.
    Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Having a smart structure for AI verification is going to become increasingly critical as the technology performs more and more tasks, outpacing the ability of humans to verify all the work.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 16 June 2026
  • International monitors verified that Iran was complying, and Iran was able to tap its oil wealth.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • These worst-case scenario twisters aren’t guaranteed to develop, but there’s a more significant chance than usual for this time of year.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • He isn’t guaranteed to play in Texas high school football this season, as the District 11-6A executive committee ruled him ineligible due to a transfer for athletic purposes.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • So, when West and Amanda confirmed it, I was stunned.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 17 June 2026
  • As his promoter Hearn confirmed to The Athletic last week, Joshua’s contract states the bout must take place in the UK.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Manchester Police The Supreme Court affirmed Montgomery's convictions for assault, falsifying physical evidence, witness tampering, and abuse of a corpse.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • In a study published in the journal Science, researchers at Stanford tested 11 popular AI systems and found that AI chatbots were prone to flattering and validating the feelings of users, affirming a user’s actions 49% more often than humans did.
    Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Opponents to the development argued that the circumstances are different and that the court's decision does not apply to the Greeley case.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 16 June 2026
  • One of the project’s most significant adversaries is the city of Sacramento — while the area is not under their governance, city officials argue the development would violate a decades-old habitat conservation agreement with the county.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • None of which will be forgotten by The Garden faithful that stuck around to witness one of the greatest Knicks playoff games ever.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
  • The Spurs took a 106-105 lead with just 30 seconds remaining, and the Garden was on its feet, hoping to witness history.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on attest

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster