ratify

verb

rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
Synonyms of ratify

transitive verb

: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
ratifier
ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce ratify (audio)
noun

Synonyms of ratify

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Examples of ratify in a Sentence

A number of countries have refused to ratify the treaty. Lincoln's home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
It was ratified in 1951, six years after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died, months into his fourth term. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Members were to vote to ratify the two contracts with the Detroit automaker over the weekend. — Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026 After more than a year and a half of negotiations, a faculty union at Baltimore City Community College has ratified its first-ever contract. — William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 28 Aug. 2026 In response to our distressing new reality, DuVernay has created a thrillingly expansive sequel of sorts, which passionately and persuasively details how the tenets of the 14th Amendment, ratified post–Civil War, are now under systematic attack. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ratify

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ratifien, from Anglo-French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus determined, from past participle of reri to calculate — more at reason entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratify was in the 14th century

Rhymes for ratify

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Browse Nearby Words

ratifier
ratify
ratihabition
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Cite this Entry

“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ratify

verb
rat·​i·​fy ˈrat-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
: to give legal or official approval to
ratify a treaty

Legal Definition

ratify

transitive verb
rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
: to make valid or effective
especially : to adopt or affirm (as the prior act or contract of an agent) by express or implied consent with the effect of original authorization
unable to rescind the contract because he ratified it by accepting the benefits
compare reform
ratification
ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ratify (audio)
noun
ratifier
ˈra-tə-ˌfī-ər How to pronounce ratify (audio)
noun
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