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 Jill’s frenetic comings and goings that week attested to the long-running strains on her personally, dealing with the Bidens’ troubled family life while Joe did his job being president. — Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 According to the complaint filed against him in federal court, Rivas Garcia filled out a voter registration form by hand in 2018, listing his Sacramento address and attesting that he was born in Mexico. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Fun comes naturally to the Avalanches, but, as all those rubbery boings and zaps and fizzing spouts of soda pop will attest, the group has never sounded quite this zany. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026 According to medical board records, sources attested to Moss’ sobriety at that time. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesperson Alex Gibert said Friday that Foster remained certified as a police officer.
    — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The winner is expected to be known and certified in under five hours.
    — Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Some of the women expected to address the court did not testify at trial and could discuss new allegations against the brothers not charged in the indictment, prosecutors have said.
    — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The reason Barnes can testify about its own history, Young explains, comes down to the temperature at its base.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Some sites require you to verify your identity or confirm that the record belongs to you.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Officers also must verify license plate information and confirm that an alert is accurate and relevant to an active investigation before taking enforcement action.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The steady trickle of those recordings into the groundwater of influence has guaranteed the album its afterlife, both as a great lost future of American music and as a central pillar in the group’s legacy.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Her departure is not guaranteed and the talks could fall apart, the people said.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Only two human deaths have ever been confirmed by biologists.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In June, federal officials confirmed the first Texas case of New World screwworm in decades.
    — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The treaty affirmed the continued existence of Virginia’s Tribal Nations, acknowledged our relationship with the Crown and recognized our connection to our communities and homelands.
    — Dana Adkins, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Hence the gorgeous moment when Mi-ok joins Ho-seok for a nightcap under the stars—secret moonshine—and affirms that, in the face of insurmountable problems, enduring them together is their only solution.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Rubio has argued that before holding new elections, Venezuela must stabilize its economy and rebuild its institutions, including its courts and electoral council.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Catholics have used Scripture to argue for and against deportations and strict immigration enforcement.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As part of the diamond’s journey, members of the Udell family have traveled to Botswana to witness the cutting process firsthand, experience the history of the diamond’s origins and see the craftsmanship behind turning the stone into a rare diamond.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators were gathering physical evidence and witness statements on Thursday.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster