witnessing

present participle of witness
1
as in attesting
to declare (something) to be true or genuine a notary public witnessing wills and other important documents

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2
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

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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

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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 witnessing The most rewarding part has been witnessing the power of Manoj and Boman – two giants of cinema – working together for the first time in this film. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Whatever the culture, there’s a term for witnessing the changing colors of leaves, a universal act that spurs awe and wonder and makes one reflect on the passage of time. Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026 After witnessing an absolutely historic coaching carousel in 2025 that saw job openings at perennial powerhouse programs like LSU, Florida, and Penn State, the expectation is that this year's carousel will take a step back. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Mitchell was charged last January with indecent exposure on a BART train traveling through Oakland, after two people reported witnessing him masturbate in front of them, according to court records. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Growing up in Stockton, where a high concentration of braceros tended fields, Huerta said witnessing the workers’ subpar conditions drove her early activism. Isa Farfan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Every year, fewer viewers tune into the VMAs, but the ones who still watch do so in the hopes of witnessing a moment that feels even close to what Madonna has done or inspired. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 Similar findings emerged in a Russian experiment when a leaf, after witnessing a live shrimp being dropped into boiling water, expressed high levels of stress and frantic behavior. Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026 What joy there is in witnessing children learning to swim, their fears and struggling little bodies giving way to confidence and smoother strokes. Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
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
  • As a bonus, the tote has stellar reviews attesting to its functionality and design.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In one video from Mailung, in Nepal’s Rasuwa region, a group of construction workers was seen walking down a mountain path before noticing giant plumes of brown debris in the distance, rapidly cascading toward them.
    Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • As the children played and the adults talked, Rose kept noticing her husband looking toward the water, scanning the horizon.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Bannick, a member of the skinhead gang known as Public Enemy Number One, or PENI, ended up testifying for the prosecution.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Kirk Heilbrun, a forensic psychologist who evaluated Clancy in April, concluded his testimony Tuesday, testifying that Clancy was suffering from a form of bipolar disorder, but could still appreciate that killing her children was wrong.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • One of her biggest gripes is how often the beauty industry flogs acidic products to control oil production when women are experiencing hormonal imbalance.
    Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Research also suggested that traveling together strengthens family bonds, and experiencing new cultures firsthand helps children expand their worldview.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While head coaches and players come and go, sporting directors ensure that a club’s operating strategy remains in place, guaranteeing a baseline of efficiency through a singular vision for how a club should work.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With notable traffic boosts over the Android competition guaranteeing more digital inches and headlines, the associated media coverage drowns out alternatives.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Lisa is seeing what this experience could be for her, which only emphasized just how bad her current situation on RHOSLC is.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Domagal-Goldman compared Roman’s capabilities to capturing an all-encompassing view of a forest as well as seeing sharp details of its trees, like leaves and birds, all at the same time.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After multiple days undergoing tests, Lewis was officially diagnosed with giant cell arteritis in August 2021.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Once known primarily as a studio tour park, Universal has been undergoing a large-scale overhaul throughout the last decade-plus, adding immersive lands such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a final rule this month barring the use of federal Medicaid and CHIP funding to pay for pediatric gender-affirming medications and surgery.
    John Wilkerson, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026
  • James has experienced Republican attacks centered on her legislative record, pointing to her support for LGBTQ+ rights and gender-affirming care for minors as evidence that her politics are out of step with her religious background.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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