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as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else accredits his good choice of movies to reading a reviewer who seldom steers him wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb accredit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accredit are approve, certify, endorse, and sanction. While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college
must be certified to teach

In what contexts can approve take the place of accredit?

The words approve and accredit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

When can endorse be used instead of accredit?

The words endorse and accredit can be used in similar contexts, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

When is sanction a more appropriate choice than accredit?

In some situations, the words sanction and accredit are roughly equivalent. However, sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

Examples 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 accredit The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which accredits ABHE, acknowledged receiving Newsweek's request for comment but could not respond in time for publication. Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024 The aquarium has pushed back against criticism, saying that the tigers are well cared for and that the aquarium is accredited by organizations like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Shafaq Patel, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024 However, stringent oversight by accrediting bodies such as Verra and international third-party auditors is very strict in order to ensure that projects are in compliance with VCS, CCB, and SDVISta standards on transparency, sustainability, and precise carbon measurements. Suwanna Gauntlett, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 The release notes that Ringo was the second-oldest living harbor seal in North American zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and far surpassed the 23-year median life expectancy of harbor seals living in human care. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accredit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accredit
Verb
  • Freud was the proponent of etiology, a backward-looking theory that ascribes our behavior today to our shaping and forming early in life.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Meme culture is rife with examples of how symbols are ascribed new consensus meanings through new social agreements.
    Aarushi Bhandari, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This change enabled her to view her development as planned and targeted. 2.
    Tinna Jackson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • When those conditions change, the chemicals are not strong enough to enable them to actually withstand the enormous pressures and the enormous changes that have happened.
    Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Aufderheide, who is also the director of the Resuscitation Research Center, applauded the coalition’s goals.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Republicans, elated by their party’s political comeback, applauded.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Focolare History The Focolare Movement, founded by Italian schoolteacher Chiara Lubich in the 1940s, was approved by the Catholic Church in the 1960s.
    Lisa Ling, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The Aurora City Council voted around that time last year to approve an agreement with the IEPA for the forgivable loan, which was required before the city could start accepting bids from companies for the project.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Schwartz attributes its smaller crowds and less festive environment not to local lawmakers but to changes in ownership.
    Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
  • And Robach attributes their desire to spend so much time together to the early stages of their friendship that turned romantic.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • President Trump on Monday night signed an executive order authorizing the U.S. military to draft a plan for sending troops to the southern border.
    Brad Dress, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • This means that no single custodian can authorize transactions on its own, because a quorum of keys (for example, 2 out of 3) is required to move funds.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This Cartier Tortue Privée hails from the 2010s, and boasts a beautiful yellow gold case that accepts the flowing form of the case with ease.
    Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Trump hailed the Stargate Project — which is also drawing investments from Oracle, SoftBank and MGX — and its plans to create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
    Nathan Bomey, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • So in 1933, the 20th Amendment was ratified, changing Inauguration Day to Jan. 20 and the first session of the new Congress to Jan. 3.
    Chantelle Lee, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Image Israel’s government will most likely ratify the agreement today.
    German Lopez, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near accredit

Cite this Entry

“Accredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accredit. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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