ratify

1 of 2

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

ratifier

2 of 2

noun

rat·​i·​fi·​er ˈra-tə-ˌfīr How to pronounce ratifier (audio)
-ˌfī-ər
plural -s
: one that ratifies

Synonyms of ratify

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Verb

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Examples of ratify in a Sentence

Verb 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.
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Verb
Johnson released a statement through his press office saying the ILA workers who met with the mayor are members of the team that bargained their new contract, ratified this spring. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 There's no realistic way that a constitutional amendment that controversial — which requires two-thirds approval from both chambers and three-fourths of the states to ratify — could pass in this Congress. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 July 2026 China ratified the protocols in 1987, pledging not to test nuclear weapons within the zone or threaten to use them against signatories with territory in the region. — ABC News, 6 July 2026 For roughly a century after the Constitution was ratified, private property, contracts and free internal trade within the United States were respected. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ratify

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 7 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on ratify

Nglish: Translation of ratify for Spanish Speakers

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