witness 1 of 2

witness

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verb

1
as in to attest
to declare (something) to be true or genuine a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact I witnessed to the fact that I had seen them together that night

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to experience
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it war changes anyone who has ever witnessed it first hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb witness contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of witness are attest, certify, and vouch. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

When can attest be used instead of witness?

While the synonyms attest and witness are close in meaning, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can certify take the place of witness?

The meanings of certify and witness largely overlap; however, 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 witness?

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

willing to vouch for her integrity

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 witness
Noun
Detectives, according to police officials, are interviewing witnesses and combing through surveillance video in an effort to identify suspects. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025 Most of the show’s version of Koch comes from witness testimony during her 1947 US military commission court trial at Dachau, where she was accused of many of the atrocities seen on the show. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Fans at MetLife Stadium were able to witness the troll job. Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Seeing the interest is amazing, but the discourse and educational moments that have been brought up because of this shoe has been a pleasure to witness. Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for witness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witness
Noun
  • Farley’s former patients allege Wentworth and his team fumbled the case, only allowing testimony from a small fraction of women who had filed police reports.
    Meena Duerson, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • None of that was true, according to testimony and forensic reports.
    Susan Young, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As most pregnant people can attest, talking to your baby while they are still safely tucked away in the womb is one of the most comforting ways to feel that the two of you are connected.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
  • But, as those of us who speak Spanish daily can attest, many still look down on Spanish as a language, and definitely on the people who speak it.
    Leila Cobo, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Crew aboard the ship noticed that the engine room—a long and narrow chamber—was the weakest, and was where multiple beams buckled under the pressure of the ice.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Neither that notice nor the agenda for the meeting, posted the day before, gave details about which property the board would be voting on or its intended use.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McCarthy pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for testifying against four of his co-conspirators, per The Bay Area Reporter.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Phypers additionally testified that Richards called him 17 times in less than a week after she was granted the temporary restraining order.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez , Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The program gives team members the chance to experience different roles, properties, and cultures first-hand, building skills and strengthening connections across the region, and—in the process—strengthening the company’s cross-cultural bonds.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • When one patient, a new mother experiencing postpartum depression, commits an impulsive, desperate act, Linda is forced to contend with her own physically and emotionally unavailable husband.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • More evidence surfaced Friday night that Belichick plans to stay at North Carolina.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
  • In Rader’s office, evidence of his kills including personal items belonging to the victims, were kept accessible in an unlocked filing cabinet.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The company has the world’s first platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) denim manufacturing facility certified by the United States Green Building Council.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The nearest town of Torrey is certified as a Dark Sky Community, too.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With a swath of apps taking betting from the casino to one’s pocket, the industry has captured the interest of Gen Z, who saw a 7% year-over-year increase in online sports betting activity as of 2025’s second quarter, TransUnion found in a report released last month.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • His team sees the deal as a start, not an ending.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Witness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witness. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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