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
Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Detectives are actively interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence, the department said.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Police said homicide detectives are interviewing witnesses investigating the shooting.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Sacramento Police major collision and crime scene investigators were called to the scene, and department officials urged witnesses to call dispatchers at 916-808-5471.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
There were no other witnesses, since my sister wasn’t home that evening.
—Andrea Bajani, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Those developments could have created the impression among witnesses or subpoena targets that Carroll herself was the target of the investigation, even though the Chicago division is actually focused on the entity connected to the funding of the litigation.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 June 2026
Art witnesses a flock of crows suddenly dash themselves into the ground in the surrounding desert for no apparent reason.
—ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
In the new crime drama, Gisela plays Etta Tiger Jonze, a twentysomething who witnesses her family get murdered by one of the biggest drug cartels in Miami and sets out to avenge their deaths.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
His mind-and-body revival is expedited when Paul’s daughter, Poe (Billie Boullet), witnesses a deadly bombing and turns to Creasy for protection.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
School officials urged anyone who witnesses any safety concerns to contact staff or police.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Season 2 of Beef follows a Gen-Z couple who witnesses an alarming fight between their Millennial boss and his wife.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
While figuring out a way to bring the animals back and halt the dynamiting of the dam on the edge of her pond, Mabel witnesses a beaver being thrown in the back of a van and whisked off to Beaverton University.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
A student witnesses the gunfire Comeaux had left the bar to grab pizza at a food truck across the street about 10 minutes before the first gunshots were fired.
—Jack Myer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
Demonstrators grabbed bricks from the ground to throw at police, as tear gas was deployed in Geneva's streets, witnesses told Reuters.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Detectives are actively interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence, the department said.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Police said homicide detectives are interviewing witnesses investigating the shooting.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Sacramento Police major collision and crime scene investigators were called to the scene, and department officials urged witnesses to call dispatchers at 916-808-5471.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
There were no other witnesses, since my sister wasn’t home that evening.
—Andrea Bajani, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Those developments could have created the impression among witnesses or subpoena targets that Carroll herself was the target of the investigation, even though the Chicago division is actually focused on the entity connected to the funding of the litigation.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Verb
While on duty at the Nallswsorth Street rally, tasked with managing the crowds, June witnesses the death of 15-year-old Rohann (Rasaq Kukoyi), a Muslim teen who is stabbed in the middle of the protest.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 June 2026
Art witnesses a flock of crows suddenly dash themselves into the ground in the surrounding desert for no apparent reason.
—ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
In the new crime drama, Gisela plays Etta Tiger Jonze, a twentysomething who witnesses her family get murdered by one of the biggest drug cartels in Miami and sets out to avenge their deaths.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
His mind-and-body revival is expedited when Paul’s daughter, Poe (Billie Boullet), witnesses a deadly bombing and turns to Creasy for protection.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
School officials urged anyone who witnesses any safety concerns to contact staff or police.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Season 2 of Beef follows a Gen-Z couple who witnesses an alarming fight between their Millennial boss and his wife.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
While figuring out a way to bring the animals back and halt the dynamiting of the dam on the edge of her pond, Mabel witnesses a beaver being thrown in the back of a van and whisked off to Beaverton University.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
A student witnesses the gunfire Comeaux had left the bar to grab pizza at a food truck across the street about 10 minutes before the first gunshots were fired.
—Jack Myer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnesses
Noun
-
The investigation shared testimonies from former members claiming the church acted more like a cult.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
To prepare for the film, the Edge of Tomorrow star immersed herself in testimonies from people who claim to have witnessed alien phenomena.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Club Kid is funny, and filled with deft jokes, but there’s a stylistic exuberance to it that attests to how Firstman wasn’t just thinking in terms of verbal punchlines.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
The runaway success of the Toyota Prius in 2004-2008 attests to this.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Your analytical nature notices quiet details that tell you exactly what to release.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
When the plumbing works, nobody notices.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Mother testifies on son's remorse Prosecutors also chose not to call any witnesses, and the defense ended after just one – Anthony's mother, Kayla Hayes.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Whether that act was intentional or not, French psychoanalyst Jean-Louis Katz, a passenger on the train, testifies against Anna, who does time for manslaughter.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
My favorite artists detailed and singular in its voice, therefore it can’t be digested and metabolized by everyone who experiences it in the same way.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Therefore, it can't be digested and metabolized by everyone who experiences it in the same way.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
This evidences deliberate indifference to foreseeable violence.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Courts have held that the right to an interpreter is protected by the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to a fair trial – including understanding court proceedings and communicating with counsel.—
Carol Rose Little,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
-
Wins are good, obviously, but in this new 48-team format, one win in group play essentially guarantees placement in the round of 32.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
In the Africa section, the zoo eyes a revamp of the hippo and crocodile habitats and at least one additional exhibit.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday as the franchise eyes its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Witnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnesses. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
