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
This is partly why witnessing this cosmic phenomenon is so special.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky, has identified some of the best spots for witnessing the wonders of the cosmos across the island country.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
The younger Ennis recalls witnessing from an early age the discipline and determination required to compete at the highest level.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
During a conversation with Entertainment Weekly's Awardist podcast, the Frankenstein star reflects on the infamous bathtub scene in Emerald Fennell's 2023 thriller, which saw Oliver (Barry Keoghan) slurp up bathwater after secretly witnessing Felix (Elordi) masturbate in the tub.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Now, Newsom is witnessing firsthand the negative impacts of his administration’s actions as two companies that refine gasoline in California are shuttering operations.
—Will Oneill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
His wife rode the storm out in Jamaica, witnessing firsthand the widespread destruction.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The two-time inductee into WWE's Hall of Fame threw his headset down after witnessing the outcome.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky, has identified some of the best spots for witnessing the wonders of the cosmos across the island country.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
The younger Ennis recalls witnessing from an early age the discipline and determination required to compete at the highest level.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
During a conversation with Entertainment Weekly's Awardist podcast, the Frankenstein star reflects on the infamous bathtub scene in Emerald Fennell's 2023 thriller, which saw Oliver (Barry Keoghan) slurp up bathwater after secretly witnessing Felix (Elordi) masturbate in the tub.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Now, Newsom is witnessing firsthand the negative impacts of his administration’s actions as two companies that refine gasoline in California are shuttering operations.
—Will Oneill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
His wife rode the storm out in Jamaica, witnessing firsthand the widespread destruction.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The two-time inductee into WWE's Hall of Fame threw his headset down after witnessing the outcome.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
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Black residents had to register with the county clerk within two years of arriving in Ohio, pay a fee of 12 1/2 cents, and obtain a court order attesting to their being free.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
One accomplice in the scheme was a 74-year-old man from Rhineland-Palatinate who produced counterfeit expert reports attesting to the authenticity of the forgeries, investigators say.—
NPR,
NPR,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And when his hospital finally reopened, in February of the following year, doctors began noticing unexpected changes.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
-
He was parked at a self-service bay of a 24-hour car wash two officers pulled into the West Boise business, detained him and used a drug dog to search his vehicle after noticing his parked vehicle.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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PAs testifying in support of the bill also argued the changes would give them parity with nurse practitioners, keeping them competitive in the workforce.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Starting April 1, 1807, Black people in Ohio were barred from testifying in any case, civil or criminal, in which one of the parties was white.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Recently, Japanese walking, a version of high intensity interval walking, has become a favorite among wellness seekers looking to amp up their walks without experiencing the impact of running.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
11 Nov. 2025
-
If your baby is experiencing any symptoms, call their pediatrician as soon as possible and seek treatment.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Eight weeks into the 2025 college football season, a number of coaches have been fired with clauses in their contracts guaranteeing them more than $150 million combined to stay away from their former team’s sidelines.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What airports are seeing flight cancellations?—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Polls show that economic impacts are driving the voting bloc the most and Latino businesses across the country, from Miami to Los Angeles, are seeing a drop in foot traffic because of ICE agents targeting their communities.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But 2025 is undergoing a reckoning.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Adebayo missed his third straight game on Monday and Herro has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery in September.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If, as Kingsnorth claims, gender-affirming medicine is an assault on human nature and the human body, then so, too, are pacemakers and prosthetic limbs, or Botox and condoms, for that matter.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries voiced firm support for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday, affirming Schumer’s leadership despite internal party divisions over the latest spending deal.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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