1
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else accredits his good choice of movies to reading a reviewer who seldom steers him wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb accredit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accredit are approve, certify, endorse, and sanction. While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college
must be certified to teach

In what contexts can approve take the place of accredit?

The words approve and accredit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

When can endorse be used instead of accredit?

The words endorse and accredit can be used in similar contexts, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

When is sanction a more appropriate choice than accredit?

In some situations, the words sanction and accredit are roughly equivalent. However, sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

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 accredit Most federal funding, including financial aid, hinges on a school being accredited. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025 The department's civil rights office notified the Middle States Commission on Higher Education — which accredits U.S. colleges and universities — that Columbia was out of compliance, according to a news release from the Education Department. / Cbs News, CBS News, 4 June 2025 In the United States, there were 88 accrediting agencies during the 2022-23 school academic year. Jimmy Aguilar, The Conversation, 8 May 2025 Standards are set by accrediting agencies – private organizations that work with educational institutions to establish benchmarks. Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for accredit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accredit
Verb
  • The nation’s 2014 coup d’etat was commonly ascribed to a desire by the nation’s elites to micromanage the transition to King Vajiralongkorn.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025
  • The event drew filmmakers, actors, cinephiles, woodworkers, all fans who could be described in labels ascribed to Lynch himself.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • This includes mini-rovers, crewed lunar rovers, and all kinds of instrumentation that will enable lunar exploration, development, and in-situ resource development.
    Space.com Staff, Space.com, 28 June 2025
  • Fresh droppings often contain viral RNA, enabling researchers to recover full genomes and assess the pathogenic potential of circulating strains.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Despite Democratic skepticism, nearly all Republicans have applauded Trump's decision to strike Iran.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
  • Tucker stepped out of the batter’s box to tip his helmet toward both a roaring crowd and the applauding Astros dugout.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Two more property insurers have been approved to serve Florida’s beleaguered homeowner market, the state Office of Insurance Regulation announced.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • In September 2023, California approved the Climate Accountability Package, a pair of bills aimed at creating sustainability reporting requirements.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Forty-two lightning deaths have been reported in Texas since 2006, second only to Florida, where 93 deaths have been attributed to lightning over the same time span.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • The heat can be attributed to an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the eastern United States that’s causing surface temperatures to increase, Belak said.
    Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • To be sure, Canva’s security and trust teams still vet all potential AI tools before employees are authorized to use them.
    John Kell, Fortune, 25 June 2025
  • The Sacramento County of Education authorized a separate audit in 2018 that raised similar concerns about internal practices.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • When college athletes began earning money through name, image, and likeness deals on July 1, 2021, it was hailed as a groundbreaking shift in the landscape of college sports.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
  • The match on Sunday is also serving as a homecoming for Lavelle, who hails from Cincinnati.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Nonfiction entertainment workers who are members of the Writers Guild of America East have ratified a first union agreement with prestige documentary company Story Syndicate.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
  • The Bluegrass State didn't symbolically ratify the 13th Amendment until March 18, 1976 − when Gerald Ford was president.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 20 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accredit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on accredit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!