Definition of attestnext
1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine the appraiser attests that the lamp is indeed an original Tiffany

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact an eyewitness who will attest to my innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attest are certify, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

When would certify be a good substitute for attest?

The words certify and attest can be used in similar contexts, but 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 attest?

The meanings of vouch and attest largely overlap; however, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When is witness a more appropriate choice than attest?

Although the words witness and attest have much in common, witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

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 attest As designers and artists alike will attest, a picture frame recontextualizes its subject. Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Aug. 2026 The board's disagreement over the signature review came down, in part, to a partisan split over accepting late-arriving affidavits from voters attesting that the signatures rejected by elections staff were valid. Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing. Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026 But winning is infectious and fuels a desire for more, as Griffin can attest to. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • Rival taxi service Zoox faced a probe three years ago after self-certifying its own steering-wheel-free cabs.
    Bernard Condon, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Presidential candidates Party representatives would need to certify that their candidates for president are eligible, under the 22nd Amendment, to run for the role.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Patrick Clancy was the first witness to testify in his wife's trial, which ended with a mistrial last week because the jury was deadlocked.
    Mike Toole, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Given the resolution’s swift passage, which occurred without a public hearing at the board meeting, detractors signed up to testify about an unrelated item in order to voice their concerns.
    Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This one was shaped by Week 1 results, which seemed to verify that the rebuilding Dolphins are bad, while greatly elevating estimation of the Niners.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Our report found that only 26% of embellishment cases are ever verified and found to contain a discrepancy.
    Houman Akhavan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Not that the Rams believe any of this potential greatness has been guaranteed.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But when all the money is guaranteed, there's no way to escape the cap hit.
    Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In Chester County, which also borders Lancaster and 65 confirmed measles cases, the county government has hosted free MMR clinics for children and adults, some in conjunction with the state health department.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Kyoto Sushi & Steak, one of three locations in the Kansas City metro confirmed to be exposed to a measles case last week, said no employees have reported any symptoms associated with the disease.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After oral arguments in the spring, the three judges issued a complex decision affirming Carter’s finding of discrimination but overruling his order invalidating UCLA’s lease for its baseball stadium.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • People today try to affirm their own usefulness, and this goes the other way.
    JD Linville, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • One controversial second of game clock later, Michigan fans were swarming the field to celebrate a Hail Mary that many impartial observers argued shouldn’t have happened.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Gates argued that government and civil society need to move much more quickly.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Sacramento Ballet dancer James Griffen trained at San Francisco Ballet School and witnessed Helimets’ partnering abilities.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Astronomers have witnessed a small, icy body that orbits the sun out beyond Jupiter transforming into a comet, providing a missing link between comets and inert bodies called centaurs.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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