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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 days spent with the other witnesses as well as the encounters and testimonies shed light on events that had remained unresolved for decades. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Monday’s bloody rampage unfolding on a summer afternoon in the heart of the city left witnesses in shock. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
On the other hand, there’s the nagging thought that no one will believe the final scorecard because there wasn’t someone around to witness it. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Among the 35 fans selected to witness the team’s first foray into the FBS was Wayne Stokes, a 1967 Sacramento State graduate. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 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
  • The memo provides a summary of the agreement between Google and Entergy, as well as summaries of testimony provided by Entergy officials in support of the contract.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The panel of 16 jurors, four of whom are alternates, heard testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses over nine days.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of testimony
Verb
  • 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
  • Though even that sentiment feels about five years out of date — a single un-PC joke doesn’t exactly end careers anymore, as several edge-lord comedians like Dave Chappelle can attest.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of attest
Verb
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • These wild swings in the numbers came while residents here didn’t notice any change to the slow but steady arrival of newcomers in dilapidated coaches.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Witnesses had testified to the heated gang rivalry between the South Side Compton Crips and Mob Piru, which were associated with dueling record companies Bad Boy Records and Death Row Records.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Patrick Clancy, her then-husband who found his three children after they were strangled, testified early in the trial.
    — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of testify
Verb
  • Of course, the Mets would look awfully silly if Soto experiences another calf issue.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Some areas that have seen an influx of people haven’t experienced the same kind of declines that other parts of the county have.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • The case is nearly 30 years old, which has affected the kind of evidence presented in court.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • At the time, Duncan’s attorneys with a New Orleans nonprofit had filed a post-conviction appeal but did not have the resources to conduct a fuller investigation and uncover new evidence required to win.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of evidence
Verb
  • Twenty-eight million views on YouTube certified the bizarre piece as a fan favorite.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Among the various green commitments and innovations of note, all of Explora’s ships are RINA Dolphin-certified for their low-level of underwater noise emissions, which helps preserve marine life.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of certify
Verb
  • Barclays projects that palm oil, coconut oil, and rubber could rise by 30% to 40% over the next 18 months, coffee could see an additional 20% to 30% surge, and rice could increase by a further 10% to 20%.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities initially said Saylor’s mother reported that her child had wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates in Pawleys Island and was last seen wearing her swimsuit.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of see

Phrases Containing witness

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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 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on witness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about witness

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