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
The trans-Atlantic trade deal — lifting tariffs on products ranging from Argentine steaks and Brazilian copper to German cars and Italian wine — still has to be ratified by the European Parliament.
—
Isabel Debre, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026
Many more might depart if the initiative appears to have a good shot at passage, and still more would leave if it’s ratified by voters.
—Jared Walczak, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
But now, more than 230 years after the 10th Amendment was ratified, both Minnesota and Illinois are alleging the federal surge of ICE and Border Patrol agents is preventing state and local officials from effectively governing and ensuring the safety of their residents.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
The overview of all departments by chief executive Paul Barber was ratified by the Brighton board at last summer’s annual general meeting.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratify
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Isabel Debre, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026
Many more might depart if the initiative appears to have a good shot at passage, and still more would leave if it’s ratified by voters.
—Jared Walczak, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
But now, more than 230 years after the 10th Amendment was ratified, both Minnesota and Illinois are alleging the federal surge of ICE and Border Patrol agents is preventing state and local officials from effectively governing and ensuring the safety of their residents.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
The overview of all departments by chief executive Paul Barber was ratified by the Brighton board at last summer’s annual general meeting.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratify
Cite this Entry
“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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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