Definition of attestnext
1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine the appraiser attests that the lamp is indeed an original Tiffany

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact an eyewitness who will attest to my innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attest are certify, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

When would certify be a good substitute for attest?

The words certify and attest can be used in similar contexts, but 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 attest?

The meanings of vouch and attest largely overlap; however, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When is witness a more appropriate choice than attest?

Although the words witness and attest have much in common, witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

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 attest People can experience love and tenderness for younger generations without biological parenthood, as any devoted aunt or teacher can attest. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 And there is a hunger on the part of much of the public, frankly to attest to this, is that there's a sense of desire for independence of mind and independence of thought. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026 Formulated to last up to 36 hours, per the brand, the Double Wear Foundation won’t budge all day or night—and who better to attest to that than a nurse working 12-plus hour shifts? — Anna Traver, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026 Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta don’t make those mistakes, as their popular jeans, knits, and tees attest. — Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • Every tax filer must certify under penalty of law their immigration or citizenship status to the IRS to file their return.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The secretary of state serves as the state’s chief elections officer, overseeing federal and state-level elections, sending out ballots, certifying results and issuing voter guides.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Patrick Clancy, now divorced from Lindsay, testifies as the trial’s first witness.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • One wounded witness was jailed after failing to appear in court, while another initially invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination before a judge granted him immunity and ordered him to testify.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • If a message appears to come from the boss but something feels off, Cranor said, workers should verify it through another channel before responding.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The senator is also requesting details about whether the data breach has been verified and what measures the company is taking in response.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Van Sickle said 11 member tribes rely on treaty rights to harvest resources such as maple sap, cedar boughs and other forest products, essential for guaranteeing traditional ways of life on indigenous lands.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Today, that fear is contributing to calls for heavy-handed government intervention that is guaranteed to stifle the most revolutionary technology in decades, if not history.
    — William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That list was culled to 1,015 firms, and finalists completed surveys to confirm key details.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • If the testing confirms that the drug is what the pharmacy claims, that specific lot is approved for compounding.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • However, support for gender-affirming care and other LGBTQ rights is more limited, polling has shown.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Burney-Scott said, the journal article is lacking some perspectives — including discussion of early menopause due to gender-affirming care, or a medical intervention — that shows the limitations of current research.
    — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Marc Elias has argued dozens of cases around mail-in balloting and election access across the country and in front of the Supreme Court over the last decade.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • His complaint argues that the plural title invites audiences to suspect a second culprit besides Mun.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Close to 10,000 fans who plunked down $10 a ticket on Saturday to essentially witness a glorified practice at the Sixers’ home arena went wild for James' debut.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Those traveling to Luxor on a group tour expecting to witness it all in Karnak Temple — or any of the temples — should double-check … and be prepared to be disappointed.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!