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as in to guarantee
to declare (something) to be true or genuine experts certified the letter as indeed having been written by Abraham Lincoln

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb certify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of certify are attest, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When would attest be a good substitute for certify?

The meanings of attest and certify largely overlap; however, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can vouch take the place of certify?

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

willing to vouch for her integrity

When could witness be used to replace certify?

Although the words witness and certify 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 certify That could doom the Energy Star program, which certifies appliances to help consumers get tax credits and save money. Morgan Severson, CNN Money, 6 May 2025 The district did so by filing a court document certifying its compliance. Ann Schimke, Denver Post, 6 May 2025 Teachers on screens Proximity Learning classes are led by virtual teachers that must be certified to teach in the state of Kansas. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2025 Since 2018, the property has been the Caribbean's first and only certified carbon-neutral hotel. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for certify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certify
Verb
  • And yet, the arc of history is not guaranteed to bend toward justice.
    Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
  • The founding documents of the United States of America guarantee unalienable rights to the people.
    Moti Mizrahi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • This solution integrates contact centers with operational systems, enabling both self-service and live agent support across channels like voice, chat, and SMS.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The Supreme Court gave the Trump administration a big temporary win by enabling its ban on transgender military members to take effect despite a lower court’s ruling.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • America, meet the Orb: a bold new attempt to verify you’re not a bot — just by looking you in the eye.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Almost 82,000 also provided data from activity trackers that allowed researchers to verify their speed.
    Simon Spichak, Health, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • But all eyes are likely to be on A$AP Rocky, who’s done some scattered acting before, but who appears in his biggest role to date as Yung Felon, a part whose place in the story has yet to be revealed, but that’s been affirmed by Lee to be a major one.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • Researchers must affirm their safety in larger studies and better understand whether these cells remain functional for the long term and can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
    Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • This could explain why the Dodgers are taking their time with Ohtani, who isn’t expected to pitch until after the All-Star break, according to a person familiar with the team’s thinking but not authorized to speak publicly.
    Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • The company also authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • On May 3, the actor attended Moda Operandi, the pre-Met Gala cocktail party orchestrated by Donatella Versace at The Twenty Two hotel, all but confirming her attendance at the biggest fashion event of the year.
    María Munsuri, Glamour, 4 May 2025
  • The news was confirmed via a public obituary and his daughter Anne Marie Scalies’ statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • The support isn’t close to luxurious, to which anyone who has seen Section 8 apartments or public housing developments can attest.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Play me off … ‘The Imperial March’ As any member of the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire will attest, today — the fourth day of May — is Star Wars Day!
    Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • Conceptualized and developed by High Profile Lifestyle (HPL), Freelancers Unplugged is a 6-part concert series created to inspire, empower, and celebrate freelancers across the entertainment industry.
    Malana VanTyle, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • For starters, a team that’s aligned on the mission and empowered to make decisions is going to move faster—way faster—than one waiting around for the boss’s rubber stamp.
    Allison Maslan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certify. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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