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
  • From a practical standpoint, this decision enables an unprecedented situation where individuals born on U.S. territory might be considered citizens in one jurisdiction but not an adjacent one.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
  • That could enable more attentive owners to reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 40 percent over an average year of use.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 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
  • In 2023, the PSC approved a $400 million rate increase for BGE delivery rates despite opposition from consumer advocates and the Baltimore City Council.
    Emily Scarr, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
  • That’s because minoxidil is technically a drug, and topical formulas were previously only available via prescription—the FDA approved over-the-counter sale of this ingredient in 1996.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Even more disturbingly, the FBI attributes at least 20 suicides of young boys to sextortion.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • Moulton attributes the community’s interest in the arts, and the festival’s national reputation, to its continuous appeal.
    Zoey Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The alert also relayed that the FDA had authorized these monitors for wired functionality only.
    Christian Espinosa, Forbes.com, 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
  • The accord of the partnership, known as the Nile Basin Initiative, came into force in October without being ratified by Egypt or Sudan.
    Samuel Getachew, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
  • After months of contract negotiations and union workers striking down a tentative agreement, workers at GE Appliances have ratified a new labor contract.
    Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accredit. Accessed 9 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!