attest

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

Relevance
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 Those who watched him play at UConn can attest to that. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 The '80s were a great time to have big hair, as Brooke can attest. Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026 Some rappers have begun directly attesting to the fictional nature of their music. Maria Sherman, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • For now, though, SLS is the only rocket powerful enough and certified to fly Orion to the moon.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a fierce supporter of the new map, has not yet certified the referendum campaign for the ballot.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Kevin Scott, Microsoft's technology chief, testified that the first supercomputer his company built with OpenAI years ago took about six months, assembling together 10,000 graphics processing units that occupied a big chunk of a data center.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 13 May 2026
  • The children’s father, Christopher Fox, and their grandmother, Shawna Fox, also testified before the court prior to Trevino's sentencing.
    Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Another message may claim the student needs to verify a Canvas account.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
  • Pengpai verified the Saint Laurent ban by testing more than 20 addresses within the affected subdistrict, spanning residential compounds, government offices, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Starting on May 12, if a dress is purchased in store or online for brides, mother-of-the-brides, or bridesmaids, Cook said the bridal retailer will allow the dress to be held right before the event and will guarantee that the dress fits properly.
    Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 12 May 2026
  • For an additional $10 on top of standard delivery charges, shoppers can place Walmart Express Delivery orders from among more than 100,000 products that are guaranteed to arrive in an hour.
    Anne D’Innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Barnes confirmed the nonprofit covered production costs, though did not specify what those amounted to.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 12 May 2026
  • The children's autopsies could not confirm or rule out death from drowning because the cause was difficult to determine, according to Fox 26 Houston and Click2 Houston.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Recognition of casting at this level affirms its place at the heart of the filmmaking process.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
  • After years of fruitless mediation, Guyana in 2018 asked ICJ judges to affirm the 1899 border decision.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The nomination of Hamilton, who argued abolishing FEMA was not in the country’s best interests, is the latest indication of that change.
    Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • Going nuclear could help the state meet that demand, its proponents argue.
    Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • At trial, prosecutors argued the killing was tied to a ritualistic motive, pointing to witness testimony and forensic evidence that Clark later challenged as false or misleading in court filings.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
  • While its population is witnessing slow growth, the species continues to be endangered and is protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and State of Hawaii law.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on attest

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster