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
The film uses their contrasting outlooks to raise questions about the responsibilities of witnessing tragedy through a camera lens.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 July 2026
Nothing shows our financial supporters the value of their contributions more clearly than witnessing the emotional moment when a cancer survivor meets their lifesaving donor for the first time at our annual gala or other event.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
And the leader of the $278 billion cybersecurity firm is already witnessing the fallout.
—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
Like other survey respondents, Stillwell, a Democrat, has found a lot of hope witnessing Americans welcome visiting soccer fans.
—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
1 July 2026
Most recently, abuela is witnessing the superstar striker compete in his sixth and final World Cup.
—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
For those of us who live in Australia, there was a surreal quality to witnessing the frenzied panic of a mass shooting unfold against one of the country’s most iconic backdrops.
—
Oscar Schwartz,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
As retailers scramble to give shoppers a reason to leave their screens, the industry is witnessing an aggressive push toward experiential spaces that merge the sensory weight of physical design with the real-time agility of digital media.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have aided and abetted her husband’s offenses for witnessing the abuse and doing nothing to intervene.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 July 2026
Nothing shows our financial supporters the value of their contributions more clearly than witnessing the emotional moment when a cancer survivor meets their lifesaving donor for the first time at our annual gala or other event.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
And the leader of the $278 billion cybersecurity firm is already witnessing the fallout.
—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
Like other survey respondents, Stillwell, a Democrat, has found a lot of hope witnessing Americans welcome visiting soccer fans.
—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
1 July 2026
Most recently, abuela is witnessing the superstar striker compete in his sixth and final World Cup.
—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
For those of us who live in Australia, there was a surreal quality to witnessing the frenzied panic of a mass shooting unfold against one of the country’s most iconic backdrops.
—
Oscar Schwartz,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
As retailers scramble to give shoppers a reason to leave their screens, the industry is witnessing an aggressive push toward experiential spaces that merge the sensory weight of physical design with the real-time agility of digital media.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have aided and abetted her husband’s offenses for witnessing the abuse and doing nothing to intervene.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
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Every contribution must come with paperwork attesting to its source.
-
The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct.
Verb
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That matters because adults wait an average of nine years after first noticing hearing loss before treating it.
-
Research has increasingly pointed to app designs built for engagement and addiction rather than actual matchmaking, and users are noticing.
Verb
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Following the sentencing, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden praised the survivors for their courage in testifying.
-
Now testifying is Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Lt.
Verb
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In 2023, more than a decade after a experiencing season-ending racing injuries, Muniz decided to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing full-throttle and announced his return to stock car racing in the ARCA Menards Series.
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According to her defense, Bland was experiencing hallucinations and believed she was being instructed to baptize her family members.
Verb
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Tuning in an hour beforehand is usually a pretty good way of getting up to speed with the stage and guaranteeing the denouement.
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McCourt Global, which is the sole financial backer of the league, announced it in March, guaranteeing $300 million in prize money to be distributed over the first three seasons.
Verb
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The journey in seeing a friend’s city anew becomes another way of seeing home.
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On June 9, witnesses reported seeing a man start a small brush fire in a field behind the Wal-Mart on Camino Arroyo, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Verb
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LaVine appeared in only 39 games last season after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right hand.
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From the factory floor to the small business ledger, the tech ecosystem is undergoing a massive shift toward hyper-automation and deep data visibility.
Verb
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This particular issue has to do with Washington state provisions that allow shelters to refuse to notify parents when minors are seeking gender-affirming care if the shelters conclude that the parents might subject the child to abuse or neglect.
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Requests can include using preferred pronouns, using any name other than the child’s legal name and allowing the child access to gender-affirming restrooms.
Cite this Entry
“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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