attest

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

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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 One accomplice in the scheme was a 74-year-old man from Rhineland-Palatinate who produced counterfeit expert reports attesting to the authenticity of the forgeries, investigators say. NPR, 26 Oct. 2025 As any Spinal Tap fan can attest, the choice of location for the band's swan song is far from incidental. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025 Charles Winstead of the San Francisco Bay Area has seen several climbing accidents while climbing El Capitan over the past few weeks and attests to the quick responses from park personnel. Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 As other pet owners can attest, Cosmo isn’t the first pup to be caught being nosey. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • Once LCAs are certified, typically within seven to 10 days, employers can move forward with filing H-1B petitions with USCIS, a critical step for companies relying on highly skilled workers in sectors such as technology, health care and research.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The device has been integrated into Tiangong's systems and certified for up to 500 uses.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Gonzales is being held without bail at the Bridgewater State Hospital after a doctor testified that Gonzales has a serious mental illness.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Despite her own children not being called to testify, the triplet's mother, Stacy Chapin, said that the fact these students would not have to appear in court during a trial was the best thing to come out of the plea deal Kohberger struck with prosecutors on July 2, 2025.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • To verify what was happening inside, Lomeli teamed up with his advisor, Tom Devereaux, who specializes in modeling X-ray spectra.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • That wasn't guaranteed at the beginning of this effort a few months ago.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Sor Juana’s verses confirm that venturing into the dating pool is always like stepping into a dark abyss.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Trump has confirmed what could be one of the largest mobilization strategies for the party-- a 'midterm convention' ahead of the 2026 races.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Online attacks against Banda escalated after her recognition for FIFPRO Women's World 11, prompting the NWSL to issue a statement denouncing all forms of harassment and affirming support for Banda and all players.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Incredibly, the filmmaker succeeds in telling a deeply human story without a single human in sight, affirming that humanity – despite its name – isn't only a human trait.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • When its army entered Gaza in late 1956, the Israeli government argued that national security interests required it to control the Strip.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The issue of filing deadlines wasn't argued before the Supreme Court, nor the circuit court, Wood said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Podnieks himself witnessed his cameraman taking a fatal hit while the team were recording events on the streets of Riga in 1992.
    Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
  • After witnessing their mother succumb to her injuries, the affidavit stated that the children said their father ordered them to clean up the blood and never tell another person what happened to their mother.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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