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 But witnessing the shuttle upright — an idea that emerged out of a Science Center master plan over 30 years ago — is an entirely different thing. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 But just as meaningful - if not more so - is witnessing the increasing volume of players who seem like keepers. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Sanctuary staff quickly started separating monkeys quickly, ultimately creating two groups — those who'd experienced the virus, either by getting sick themselves or witnessing others get sick, and those who hadn't experienced the outbreak. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 The chances of actually witnessing totality at any of the major temples are probably slim. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Documents say police officers tried to make a traffic stop after witnessing Flowers speeding in a Chevrolet Impala. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Means, from his perch, had pushed back on characterizations that the MAHA movement was faltering, serving as an insider voice witnessing Kennedy at work. — Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 Many are already witnessing AI acceleration and overreliance leading to troubling organizational outcomes, including ​AI-agents going rogue, a deterioration of quality and concerns about skills erosion. — Elisa Mallis, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The question now among those witnessing what’s happening at CBS News, whether from inside the building or out, is what kind of news reporting makes Bari Weiss upset and what doesn’t. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for witnessing
Verb
  • His movements are nimble and controlled, attesting to his unwillingness to give in to the bad days, the moments of grief.
    — Bella Armstrong, Miami Herald, 21 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
Verb
  • Pozzi says people may start noticing changes after four to six weeks of consistent practice, including being able to hold the position longer.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Marshall Faulk, the Hall of Fame running back and former Rams star, says he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 18 months ago after noticing hand rigidity while golfing.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • One of the hardest things about the DOE’s appeals, Hull said, is the testifying that the children and spouses of dead workers must do.
    — Lizz Giordano, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Following her injury, Kennedy focused on disability rights advocacy, including testifying at the Massachusetts State House on healthcare discrimination against individuals living with disabilities.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Forecasters say this year's El Niño could bring rainfall to areas experiencing drought conditions.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • My five children had the joy of experiencing Donna’s warmth and the warmth of those doughnuts melting in your mouth.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Sure, in 1854, the first prepacked box of Whitman's chocolates was introduced, guaranteeing to the American populace a standard of staleness, of flavorlessness, for years to come.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Fortunately, a few smart travel accessories can make all the difference in fitting more and guaranteeing your items are secure.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • If this sort of shotgun approach to local targeting is a relatively unfamiliar phenomenon in political circles, football fans have long grown used to seeing ads for things that are essentially irrelevant to their own interests.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, resilient optimism begins with seeing the problem clearly.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The new proposal, which is undergoing an environmental review, would use shorter, more frequent trains, said Cecily Way, who oversees planning for the Sepulveda Project for LA Metro.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Jen is still undergoing chemo and will need treatment through the end of the year.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Opponents argued the measure would also enable the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors to be overturned.
    — Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Trump criticized Andrews, using a transphobic nickname for her, for her stance on gender-affirming care for children and young people.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Witnessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witnessing. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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