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
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 witnessing
Unfortunately, September’s total lunar eclipse won’t be visible from the United States, but don’t worry — your chances of witnessing this stellar event are coming.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The outlet also said another staffer filed a complaint after witnessing the incident.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
In 2019, after witnessing a slide in its share price, Marks & Spencer lost its slot in the prestigious index, only to return in 2023.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
The Subscriber centers on a high-end escort who, after witnessing the death of a wealthy client, kidnaps a burglar in a panic while trying to flee the premises.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Both witnessing and being a part of something is a huge part of songwriting, and also of Eastern philosophy.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
The only thing more exciting than witnessing this cosmic spectacle is snapping a photo to prove it!
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
But witnessing that scene Sunday night, even the most casual fan among a platoon of 50,000 disciples would grin at this once-implausible sight.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
After witnessing the scene, her loyal fur-baby, Ringo, immediately places his paw on her hand, looking at her right in the eyes as if offering comfort.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The outlet also said another staffer filed a complaint after witnessing the incident.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
In 2019, after witnessing a slide in its share price, Marks & Spencer lost its slot in the prestigious index, only to return in 2023.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
The Subscriber centers on a high-end escort who, after witnessing the death of a wealthy client, kidnaps a burglar in a panic while trying to flee the premises.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Both witnessing and being a part of something is a huge part of songwriting, and also of Eastern philosophy.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
The only thing more exciting than witnessing this cosmic spectacle is snapping a photo to prove it!
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
But witnessing that scene Sunday night, even the most casual fan among a platoon of 50,000 disciples would grin at this once-implausible sight.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
After witnessing the scene, her loyal fur-baby, Ringo, immediately places his paw on her hand, looking at her right in the eyes as if offering comfort.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
-
According to Nessel, Smothers agreed to sign a false affidavit in May 2019, attesting to details of the beauty salon shooting that bolstered Anderson's self-defense story.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Jetelina says another potential scenario is that pharmacists might require that such individuals sign paperwork attesting to their risk factors to receive a COVID vaccine.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Leaders need to practice empathy by noticing when silence lingers in a meeting, when a camera remains off, or when fatigue from time zones takes its toll.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This was created after noticing that some new hires didn’t show up on their start date due to cold feet, second thoughts, or feeling another offer was safer.—
Roula Amire,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bera, a former Sacramento County chief medical officer, had a clear message as Kennedy spent his day testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, where he was grilled hard by both Republicans and Democrats.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Executives from both companies had defended the arrangement during the trial, with Mozilla's leaders even testifying that Firefox might not survive without it.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some regions of the United States are experiencing higher rates of positive COVID-19 tests than others, though reporting has slowed down enough nationwide that the CDC has begun allowing more time to pass between certain types of updates, such as those on variant prevalence.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The report’s own data shows that companies slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion are experiencing higher discrimination complaints, lower morale, and decreased attraction of top talent.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When Northern Democrats would not agree to militant pro-slavery demands such as passage of a federal slave code guaranteeing slavery’s westward expansion, Southern Democrats walked out.—
Time,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His reaction to seeing his name on topping a list of creators who influence a billion dollar industry?—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Corr appeared to have knowledge of the victims daily routines and would make comments about ‘seeing them soon’.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Horror Gets a Makeover During a public talk about the state of the industry, NBCUniversal chief Donna Langley revealed that horror, one of the most reliable box office forces, is undergoing a shake-up.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The couple started trying for a baby naturally in 2017 but ended up consulting with Nashville Fertility in 2018 and undergoing several rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI), according to People.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement The Administration has also targeted gender-affirming care through an executive order restricting transgender medical procedures.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Still in the House is a bill that could ban doctors from providing gender-affirming care for minor children.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share