witnessing

present participle of witness
1
as in attesting
to declare (something) to be true or genuine a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents

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2
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

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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

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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 Fans miss witnessing a hitting masterclass, but the luxury of instant feedback and individual instruction in a commotion-free environment is far more appealing. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Her mother, Dalila Lopez, stood beside her daughter teary-eyed, stating that witnessing the citizenship process filled her with joy. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 One of those transported to the hospital seemed to be in shock after witnessing the crash, Kovacik said. ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 For Vicki Lafer Abrahamson, more than four decades in employment law have meant witnessing an emerging field take shape, challenging established thinking, and helping define protections that employees now rely on. Matt Emma, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 What role might a war correspondent play today, beyond the bare act of witnessing? Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 She’s traumatized after witnessing her mother’s murder — and has daddy issues! Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 Ezra Acayan / Getty Images Children in Nuwakot and ​Rasuwa areas are increasingly showing signs of psychological distress after witnessing the fury of the flood last week, international charity Save the Children said in a statement. Reuters, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026 The most rewarding part has been witnessing the power of Manoj and Boman – two giants of cinema – working together for the first time in this film. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
  • The notable exception is the always effective Lena Olin, whose brief turn as a concentration camp survivor attesting to Hermine’s true sadistic nature packs a quiet charge.
    Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Some lenders use standard factors by industry; others will accept a letter from a CPA attesting to the business’s actual expense ratio, which can meaningfully improve the income calculation for a lean operation.
    Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The work is noticing when those desires start directing our behavior.
    Yann Dang, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Things are suddenly different, starting at work, where the gallery director confesses to noticing him for the first time and a punky feminist artist requests his involvement in her upcoming show.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And a psychologist testifying for the prosecution challenged the delusion diagnosis.
    Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • O’Connell is one of the many first responders who spent years advocating and testifying in Congress for better health coverage for first responders.
    Lila Dominus, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Celebrity guest arrivals and studio portraits were particularly engaging, experiencing a significant lift from the collaboration tool on Instagram.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • For women experiencing brain fog, menopause may be part of the picture, but sleep problems, chronic stress, anxiety, depression and other health conditions can also affect memory and concentration.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The local supermodel, 46, is all but guaranteeing people stop by their newsstand to get a gander of the latest I-D Magazine.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
  • By guaranteeing rental income and reducing upfront construction costs, the city hopes to woo developers to break ground while lowering rents for low-to-moderate-income families.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While Germany is again seeing moderate growth, the labor market deteriorated last year.
    Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Since no one reported seeing any suspicious individuals entering or leaving the Borden property that morning, police were led to believe the killer must have already been inside the home.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Kim didn’t make his Rays debut until July 3 after undergoing shoulder surgery.
    Jesús Cano, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The state's social studies standards — now undergoing a contested update — have covered 9/11 at multiple points in high school.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The ruling navigates new state and federal law, affirming parents’ constitutional right to information while leaving California’s ban on policies that force teachers to automatically tell parents about a student’s gender.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a comprehensive framework affirming the rights of Indigenous populations worldwide.
    USA Today, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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