witness 1 of 2

noun

ˈwit-nəs How to pronounce witness (audio)
Definition of witnessnext
as in testimony
something presented in support of the truth or accuracy of a claim the ruins are a compelling witness of the ancient civilization's cultural and aesthetic achievements

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

witness

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to attest
to declare (something) to be true or genuine a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents

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2
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes witnessed the crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to testify
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 to experience
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it war changes anyone who has ever witnessed it first hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb witness contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of witness are attest, certify, and vouch. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

When can attest be used instead of witness?

While the synonyms attest and witness are close in meaning, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can certify take the place of witness?

The meanings of certify and witness largely overlap; however, certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When could vouch be used to replace witness?

In some situations, the words vouch and witness are roughly equivalent. However, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

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 witness
Noun
The case was also plagued with irregularities and inconsistencies involving witnesses and evidence. —Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 The vehicle that was struck spun and was sent into a tractor-trailer, the witness told police. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
When totality reached cities across the U.S., schools let out, work was put on hold and people took a moment to witness what was very likely a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic display. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Some people in Atlanta witnessed an unfortunate sight on Sunday: a dead horse lying in a bustling area. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for witness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witness
  1. testimony
  2. attest
  3. notice
  4. testify
  5. experience
  6. evidence
  7. certify
  8. see
Noun
  • Prosecutors noted that some relatives will be on the witness list, and as such, shouldn't be allowed to observe testimony in the case prior to taking the stand themselves.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • So the analysis confirmed the testimony of naval architect Edward Wilding—who helped design Titanic—as to how a ship touted as unsinkable could have met such a fate.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of testimony
Verb
  • As his more experimental solo records attest — and which went unrepresented on Thursday — White is guilty of being inconsistent.
    — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Drinking more water really is key to glowing skin, an extra few hours of sleep does more… Accessorize Pearl Jam Pearls are back, as one look at the Paris runways will attest.
    — Michael Odell, Air Mail, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of attest
Verb
  • According to the Miami Herald, a separate guest stayed in the room with Tillman's dead body in the closet, but didn't notice it.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Filing electronically is usually the fastest way for taxpayers to receive their refunds, as the system flags common errors that taxpayers may otherwise not notice.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of notice
Verb
  • First responders later testified that Read tried to perform CPR on O'Keefe.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The jury’s acquittals were unusual because the Justice Department rarely loses such cases in South Florida — recognized as the nation’s healthcare fraud capital — particularly those involving defendants like the three defendants who pleaded guilty and testified against the co-conspirators at trial.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of testify
Verb
  • In June 2013, a craft owned by New York Helicopter experienced engine failure with four passengers aboard, which ended in an emergency evacuation, according to National Transportation Safety Board records.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • At this point, the women were permitted to safely unstrap from their seats to experience a few minutes of microgravity and gaze out the capsule's large windows to take in a stunning view of Earth.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of experience
Noun
  • This level of protection came to prominence when Apple added it to iPhones last year, reportedly frustrating law enforcement agencies which could not tap into phones retrieved from evidence lockers even with USB forensic toolkits.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Court documents appear to offer evidence for the Skaggs lawyers’ claims of a partnership.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of evidence
Verb
  • In the United States, however, in order for a wine to be categorized as organic, both the winery’s vineyards and facilities need to be certified by one of the major organizations — USDA Organic, Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) or California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as NSF, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or ConsumerLab.com.
    — Karen Berger, PharmD, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of certify
Verb
  • Now in their early to mid-30s, both authors have seen their stories grow into global phenomena, with millions of readers and successful film adaptations.
    — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Aboard the Carpathia and in later accounts, survivors told horrific tales of seeing fellow passengers struggling in the water around them.
    — Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of see

Phrases Containing witness

Browse Nearby Words

witlessness
witness
witnessed
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Cite this Entry

“Witness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witness. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on witness

Nglish: Translation of witness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about witness

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