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
By the end of the novel, that opening line has been both called into question and ratified.
—
Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Drivers and budtenders at Ascend Cannabis Provisions in Grand Rapids ratified their first contract with Teamsters Local 406 two years ago.
—Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
All of those laid off worked in the administrative department; five belonged to the union, which formed earlier this year under the auspices of the United Auto Workers and ratified its first contract this past April.
—News Desk, Artforum, 3 Sep. 2025
When other governments ratify conventions, American firms in those countries face increased regulatory and liability exposure.
—Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratify
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Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Drivers and budtenders at Ascend Cannabis Provisions in Grand Rapids ratified their first contract with Teamsters Local 406 two years ago.
—Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
All of those laid off worked in the administrative department; five belonged to the union, which formed earlier this year under the auspices of the United Auto Workers and ratified its first contract this past April.
—News Desk, Artforum, 3 Sep. 2025
When other governments ratify conventions, American firms in those countries face increased regulatory and liability exposure.
—Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratify
Cite this Entry
“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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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