witness 1 of 2

witness

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verb

1
as in to attest
to declare (something) to be true or genuine a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact I witnessed to the fact that I had seen them together that night

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to experience
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it war changes anyone who has ever witnessed it first hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb witness contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of witness are attest, certify, and vouch. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

When can attest be used instead of witness?

While the synonyms attest and witness are close in meaning, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can certify take the place of witness?

The meanings of certify and witness largely overlap; however, 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 witness?

In some situations, the words vouch and witness are roughly equivalent. However, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

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 witness
Noun
Officials said witnesses spotted multiple suspects running from the scene. Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Sep. 2025 There were no witnesses, Collis said. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
August saw a revival of sorts before the onset of fall witnessed more stagnation. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025 Hungary shares a border with Ukraine and has witnessed the impact of Kyiv’s war with Russia up close. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for witness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witness
Noun
  • Johnson ruled that Gaines and the other athletes’ lawsuit may now advance to limited initial discovery, in which both parties will have 90 days to share relevant documents and give testimony.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
  • The case will advance to limited initial discovery, meaning the parties need to provide testimony and share relevant emails and other documents.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Much has changed in Casa Grande since the past few decades, as Mayor Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons, 61, can attest to.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • According to a 2024 fact sheet from the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigration advocacy group, employers are required to attest through the Department of Labor that a prospective H-1B worker will not affect the wages or working conditions of similar American employees.
    Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In August, a single-engine Piper PA-28 crash landed on southbound Interstate 805 in Sorrento Valley after the pilot noticed the engine was sputtering and losing power.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
  • For almost the entire bloated two-hour run time, Black keeps his foot on the accelerator in the hope that audiences won’t notice the haphazard, barely logical plotting.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In May, Brandon traveled to Austin to testify in support of the bill at the Texas State Capitol.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Others testify that buttermilk is the only liquid that should be allowed within a 2-block radius of your recipe.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Several other Allies – including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Romania – have also recently experienced airspace violations by Russia.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Americans who struggled to step onto the property ladder in recent years have experienced these dynamics first hand.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • According to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the evidence didn't point to Kristil's alleged stalker, but her own husband.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Although the incidents were, on paper, entirely separate, Skeet and his allies believed they were linked and evidence of a conspiracy, orchestrated by Brandon and his allies, to remove them from power in the county.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After the election Once polls close and every vote has been submitted to the Jackson County and Kansas City election boards, the results of Tuesday’s election will go into effect as soon as its results are certified by the two election boards.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The carryall’s German calfskin leather is Leather Working Group–certified, meaning it’s made responsibly and sustainably, and this fabric is further elevated through the powers of its corresponding Italian suede trim, which makes all those formal edges gloriously softer.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • East Ridge High School’s football stadium was a riot of color and noise early Friday evening, a near-capacity crowd excited to see the host Raptors meet Metro East Conference rival Mounds View.
    Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
  • So Instacart is reviewing orders from last October to see what might be filling trick-or-treaters’ bags across the country this year.
    Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Witness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witness. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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