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
In 2008, a constitutional amendment stripped the Grand Duke of his political role, after Guillaume’s father Henri refused to ratify the government’s vote allowing euthanasia; the royals are observant Catholics.
—
Vivienne Walt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The expansion draft, which which will be a double expansion draft with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, and free agency cannot happen until the players' union and league either agree to a temporary extension of the current CBA or ratify a new CBA.
—Chloe Peterson, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Dickson and his frequent collaborator, the former Texas solicitor general Jonathan Mitchell, were outspoken about their plans to use the New Mexico ordinances as a stepping stone to get the expansion of the Comstock law ratified before the Supreme Court.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
It’s been reported Engelbert may be out after the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement is ratified.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratify
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Vivienne Walt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The expansion draft, which which will be a double expansion draft with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, and free agency cannot happen until the players' union and league either agree to a temporary extension of the current CBA or ratify a new CBA.
—Chloe Peterson, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Dickson and his frequent collaborator, the former Texas solicitor general Jonathan Mitchell, were outspoken about their plans to use the New Mexico ordinances as a stepping stone to get the expansion of the Comstock law ratified before the Supreme Court.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
It’s been reported Engelbert may be out after the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement is ratified.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 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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