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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 In a further sign of growing Sino-Nigerian relations, Abuja is considering certifying China’s C919 commercial jet for use, Bloomberg reported. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025 And then after the insurrection, Republicans in Congress came back and still voted not to certify the election. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 Boeing is getting back the ability to perform final safety inspections on 737 Max jetliners and certify the planes for flight more than six years after crashes of the then-new model killed 346 people. Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 The home spans 5,677 square feet and is LEED Gold certified for sustainable construction. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for certify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certify
Verb
  • Staffing levels to help in emergencies and maintain trash, restrooms, campgrounds and roads are not guaranteed, according to the National Park Service.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The White House said the executive order guarantees that AI will be integrated into US Department of Health and Human Services systems for sharing health information among health care systems, organizations and patients.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Promotion enabled Villa to access greater funds in the top flight, backed by owners Nassef Sawiris and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens, who took full control the year Villa won promotion.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The maps of those three little museums have been superimposed on each other, enabling visitors to enter the three ghost spaces simultaneously, crossing layer after layer of cultural history, with the various walls and plans collapsing into one another.
    Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Vanderbilt hospital is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center within 150 miles, the top designation verified by the American College of Surgeons for around-the-clock specialists, a high volume of trauma cases, robust research and quality patient care.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Quarterly earnings in early August affirmed that concern, even with strong comps as beef prices still dented results.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The Cayman’s exterior has always affirmed the model’s legitimacy as a light and compact mid-engine athlete.
    Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump has authorized the use of the National Guard there as part of a similar crackdown, along with other federal agents who are all expected to start arriving as early as this week.
    Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Before his death in 2023, Seidler had an especially close relationship with Preller and authorized previously unimaginable commitments for a smallish-market franchise.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The man, whose position CNN confirmed independently, said he could be arrested too, but that would not stop the business.
    Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the men died after being struck by lightning.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Producers who ship nursery stock out of regulated areas to non-regulated areas must have their stock inspected, and each load must be accompanied by a certificate that attests to the fact that their product is free from the box tree moth.
    Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But since then, protests have been mostly peaceful, and residents have attested to the calm.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This report repeatedly misrepresents our efforts to empower parents and protect teens, misstating how our safety tools work and how millions of parents and teens are using them today.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The episode and accompanying fashion show were in support of Kelce’s charity, 87 and Running, which empowers disadvantaged youth by providing resources and support to their communities in the areas of education, business, athletics, STEM, and the arts.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certify. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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