1
as in attesting
to declare (something) to be true or genuine
a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
witnessed the crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in testifying
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 experiencing
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
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Recent Examples of witnessing
Several South Shore residents reported witnessing federal immigration agents forcibly removing unclothed children from apartments during the pre-dawn raid in Chicago.
—
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Think children of the ’90s would have enjoyed witnessing that in Pittsburgh?
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Here are the top national parks for witnessing mother nature’s last gasp before winter takes hold—and the best fall adventures in each park.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
But the Drama is also equally thrilling and edifying, much like the experience of witnessing Cardi’s rise and watching her maneuver celebrity, heartbreak and beef at the highest level.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
In another killing, a man was chased through two complexes at night, with onlookers witnessing part of the chase but unsure of what was happening.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The area is witnessing new development.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
She was inspired to pursue hairstyling as a profession after growing up in the Bay Area, witnessing her mother’s career as a beautician.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
But in that case, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson secured the testimony of a co-defendant who admitted to witnessing the killing.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Think children of the ’90s would have enjoyed witnessing that in Pittsburgh?
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Here are the top national parks for witnessing mother nature’s last gasp before winter takes hold—and the best fall adventures in each park.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
But the Drama is also equally thrilling and edifying, much like the experience of witnessing Cardi’s rise and watching her maneuver celebrity, heartbreak and beef at the highest level.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
In another killing, a man was chased through two complexes at night, with onlookers witnessing part of the chase but unsure of what was happening.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The area is witnessing new development.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
She was inspired to pursue hairstyling as a profession after growing up in the Bay Area, witnessing her mother’s career as a beautician.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
But in that case, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson secured the testimony of a co-defendant who admitted to witnessing the killing.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
-
This includes employers attesting, via the Department of Labor, that a prospective H-1B worker won’t affect wages and labor conditions of similar American workers, USCIS said.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Sep. 2025
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This includes employers attesting, via the Department of Labor, that a prospective H-1B worker won’t affect wages and labor conditions of similar American workers, USCIS said.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Signs hint at a seasonal shift Forecasters are noticing early signs that the atmosphere is starting to behave more like fall than summer.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But then, other passengers started noticing him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sheriff Adam King, who was in August charged with abuse of office and witness retaliation, is accused of lying under oath while testifying before the grand jury in those cases, according to the indictment.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
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Mia described the experience of testifying as harrowing, made all the worse by the fact her identity was leaked.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Weak shaking has been recorded and several people reported experiencing the tremor in and around the San Jose area according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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The house’s spectacle in Grand Palais and fashion show is rooted in technological, futuristic and artisanal imaginations, while experiencing a dichotomy with the reinvention of clothing, which carries a sensitive memory of the past — projecting a constellation of colors, codes and values.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Each party blocked the other’s stopgap proposal, guaranteeing a shutdown, the first since 2019.—
Joshua Sammons,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The exhibition gives viewers a chance to see not only the original Constitution when it was ratified but also the amendments that have revised it over time, notably by guaranteeing Black men and then all women the right to vote.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Several workers have also described seeing a few 20-something, red haired men with a mischievous vibe.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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The girl also reported seeing inappropriate images on the screensaver of an iPad at Berrelez’s home.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Jacksonville venue is undergoing a three-year renovation process, evidence of the construction surrounding the building.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
According to Kevin Wu, CEO of Leaping AI, customer service is currently undergoing a radical transformation because of the advent of next-generation voice AI agents.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What’s at stake for kids The case comes months after the high court ruled in June that states can ban gender affirming care for minors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Briefs filed by those endorsing conversion therapy rely heavily on the Cass Review, a study commissioned by the Britain's state-run National Health Service, which found just last year that there was insufficient evidence to justify transgender affirming care for minors.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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