Synonyms of accredit

accredit

verb

ə-ˈkre-dət 

1

as in to ascribe

to explain (something) as being the result of something else

accredits his good choice of movies to reading a reviewer who seldom steers him wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ascribe
• attribute
• credit
• impute
• blame
• refer
• lay
• put down
• assign
• connect
• chalk up
• pin (on)
• attach
• link
• impute (to)
• associate
• charge
• father (on)

2

as in to enable

to give official or legal power to

took a course that accredited her to teach first aid

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enable
• authorize
• empower
• qualify
• certify
• permit
• license
• allow
• entitle
• invest
• charter
• approve
• warrant
• endorse
• vest
• commission
• sanction
• affirm
• validate
• confirm
• initiate
• install
• inaugurate
• induct
• let
• OK
• credential
• privilege
• instate
• clear
• enfranchise
• swear in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disqualify
• prevent
• deny
• exclude
• hinder
• discourage
• inhibit
• impede
• stop
• obstruct
• constrain
• disallow
• shut out
• block
• ban
• prohibit
• bar
• hold back
• forbid
• enjoin
• disbar
• veto
• outlaw
• disenfranchise
• disfranchise
• proscribe
• interdict

3

as in to applaud

to declare enthusiastic approval of

generally accredited as the finest American dramatist of the postwar generation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• applaud
• hail
• praise
• salute
• commend
• acclaim
• laud
• tout
• endorse
• cheer
• approve
• crack up
• rise (to)
• recommend
• doff one's hat to
• clap
• celebrate
• emblazon
• bravo
• eulogize
• favor
• adulate
• extol
• support
• root (for)
• ballyhoo
• sing
• idolize
• glorify
• overpraise
• magnify
• flatter
• deify
• belaud

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• knock
• disparage
• slam
• belittle
• blame
• pan
• put down
• criticize
• censure
• admonish
• chide
• rebuke
• reprobate
• reprimand
• reprove
• vilify
• reproach
• reprehend
• castigate
• discommend
• excoriate
• lambaste
• skewer
• slag
• keelhaul

4

as in to approve

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

thus far the board has refused to accredit the school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approve
• ratify
• confirm
• endorse
• accept
• authorize
• sanction
• finalize
• acknowledge
• formalize
• approbate
• sign
• warrant
• homologate
• OK
• affirm
• certify
• validate
• clear
• initial
• permit
• bless
• enable
• allow
• pass
• sanctify
• license
• legalize
• canonize
• rubber-stamp
• sign off (on)
• reapprove

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• reject
• disallow
• disapprove
• prohibit
• negative
• veto
• decline
• turn down
• forbid
• enjoin
• proscribe
• ignore
• ban
• refuse
• disregard
• overlook
• neglect
• interdict
• spurn
• illegalize
• rebut
• rebuff

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb accredit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accredit are approve, certify, endorse, and sanction. While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

In what contexts can approve take the place of accredit?

The words approve and accredit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

When can endorse be used instead of accredit?

The words endorse and accredit can be used in similar contexts, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

When is sanction a more appropriate choice than accredit?

In some situations, the words sanction and accredit are roughly equivalent. However, sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accredit

Lake County’s jail was recently re-accredited by a national organization that recognized its overall professional operations and programming designed to prevent recidivism. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

The two accrediting bodies that currently govern allopathic and osteopathic medical education cannot act alone. — Abigail MacKenzie, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026

The Private Equity Stakeholder Project found that at least five of the 16 arbitration firms accredited by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are backed by private equity — some by more than one investment firm. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

What schools said about name change Queens and Elon in September announced plans to merge that became official in June after the universities’ accrediting agency gave its blessing. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026