as in testimonies
something presented in support of the truth or accuracy of a claim
the ruins are a compelling witness of the ancient civilization's cultural and aesthetic achievements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in attests
to declare (something) to be true or genuine
a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
witnessed the crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in experiences
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
war changes anyone who has ever witnessed it first hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 witnesses
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Although multiple witnesses reported seeing a shark near where Fox disappeared, the coroner did not officially confirm a shark bite until Thursday.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Multiple videos taken by witnesses and shared on social media show the driver of a maroon compact sport utility vehicle reversing before accelerating forward and turning to leave when an agent — standing in front of the vehicle — opens fire.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The person facing death can pick two witnesses — an attorney, a spiritual adviser or a family member.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
However, numerous witnesses and local leaders are questioning that account.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Macklin Good’s killing Wednesday morning in a residential neighborhood south of downtown was recorded on video by witnesses, and by the evening hundreds of people came out for a vigil to mourn her and urge the public to resist immigration enforcement.
—Tim Sullivan, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Video shows when witnesses saw the UPS plane crash near the Louisville, Kentucky, airport just moments after takeoff.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2025
Who is going to serve as witnesses in NASCAR trial?
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
The tragedy of the mauling death of Michael Millett III in a community with an alleged history of incidents involving dangerous dogs should serve as a reminder for anyone who witnesses or experiences a dog behaving aggressively to file a complaint with local animal control.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Knechtle said one detail that resonated with Barron was a story about the pastor's friend in Africa who allegedly witnesses thousands of Muslims coming to Christ through dreams and revelations.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Here, a young girl witnesses something horrifying in Golden Gate Park, where the movie was shot in 2024.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
Eta Carinae, 7,500 light-years away, witnesses the Black Sea’s flooding.
—Big Think, 24 Nov. 2025
During the riots, Hamida witnesses a girl paraded naked on the streets.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Yoo will play the role of a police inspector who witnesses the incident.
—Sara Merican, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the voyage begins, Lo witnesses a woman tossed overboard and tries to get help, only to be told by the crew that everyone is accounted for.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, some witnesses told police that the dispute between Holmes and the supplier had been resolved.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Although multiple witnesses reported seeing a shark near where Fox disappeared, the coroner did not officially confirm a shark bite until Thursday.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Multiple videos taken by witnesses and shared on social media show the driver of a maroon compact sport utility vehicle reversing before accelerating forward and turning to leave when an agent — standing in front of the vehicle — opens fire.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The person facing death can pick two witnesses — an attorney, a spiritual adviser or a family member.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
However, numerous witnesses and local leaders are questioning that account.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Macklin Good’s killing Wednesday morning in a residential neighborhood south of downtown was recorded on video by witnesses, and by the evening hundreds of people came out for a vigil to mourn her and urge the public to resist immigration enforcement.
—Tim Sullivan, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Video shows when witnesses saw the UPS plane crash near the Louisville, Kentucky, airport just moments after takeoff.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2025
Who is going to serve as witnesses in NASCAR trial?
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Set in early-'60s Louisiana, the film stars Jurnee Smollett as Eve, a 10-year-old girl who witnesses a shocking incident in her home that shakes her to her core.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
The tragedy of the mauling death of Michael Millett III in a community with an alleged history of incidents involving dangerous dogs should serve as a reminder for anyone who witnesses or experiences a dog behaving aggressively to file a complaint with local animal control.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Knechtle said one detail that resonated with Barron was a story about the pastor's friend in Africa who allegedly witnesses thousands of Muslims coming to Christ through dreams and revelations.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Here, a young girl witnesses something horrifying in Golden Gate Park, where the movie was shot in 2024.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
Eta Carinae, 7,500 light-years away, witnesses the Black Sea’s flooding.
—Big Think, 24 Nov. 2025
During the riots, Hamida witnesses a girl paraded naked on the streets.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Yoo will play the role of a police inspector who witnesses the incident.
—Sara Merican, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the voyage begins, Lo witnesses a woman tossed overboard and tries to get help, only to be told by the crew that everyone is accounted for.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnesses
Noun
-
There are scientific and sound studies to back up OneSkin’s Peptide Age Reversal Moisturizer’s claims, but shopper testimonies, too—between the brand’s website and Amazon, this has 5,000 five-star ratings.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, includes testimonies from four current federal workers at the State Department, Health and Human Services and the Postal Service who would be directly affected by the elimination of coverage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That Makandal survives in the collective imagination of Haiti today attests to the power of the vision that has been attributed to him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Huang’s comments are apt to move the market, Ives believes, and Nvidia’s stock (up more than 1,300% in the past five years) attests to his potency as a prognosticator.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Later, after showing Joe how to work the Jet Ski crane, Nathan gets hit in the face by the hook — at the same time that Max notices that another Jet Ski has floated away and runs to get it.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Baer also notices her clients gravitate toward pieces that feel human and grounded.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The island nation’s state-of-the-art sprawl testifies to its ascent as a global financial hub, a place for oligarchs to shelter their wealth and speculate.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
This back-and-forth struggle to dominate American institutions testifies to their surpassing value and to their insusceptibility to permanent subordination.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Finney’s sister Gwen experiences psychic visions that might help locate him.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The region typically experiences five to 10 freezing nights in January, along with at least one night where temperatures fall below 25 degrees.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Teams had until the end of the day to sign the 112-page document, which guarantees access to top-level Cup Series races and a revenue stream, and 13 of 15 organizations reluctantly agreed.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
And yet, as both the Iraq and Afghanistan experiences ultimately proved, no amount of planning guarantees success.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, if the governing body eyes a group of six or seven, Aledo could stay with the Dallas-Fort Worth teams, as the Bearcats are farther east than Weatherford and Granbury.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Dec. 2025
-
For the Colts, the injury is a massive loss as the team eyes a playoff spot.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In milder locations where the ground doesn’t freeze or undergoes freeze-thaw cycles, water deeply about once a month to keep the soil moist, but not wet.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Each device undergoes extensive testing and must be approved by a senior member of our beauty team prior to appearing in Allure.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Witnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnesses. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share