Synonyms of certify

certify

verb

ˈsər-tə-ˌfī 

1

as in to guarantee

to declare (something) to be true or genuine

experts certified the letter as indeed having been written by Abraham Lincoln

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guarantee
• affirm
• attest
• authenticate
• testify (to)
• witness
• assert
• vouch (for)
• avouch
• warrant
• vow
• aver
• profess
• avow

2

as in to enable

to give official or legal power to

certified her as a teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enable
• authorize
• empower
• qualify
• license
• invest
• permit
• entitle
• allow
• warrant
• accredit
• approve
• charter
• endorse
• confirm
• vest
• affirm
• licence
• validate
• indorse
• commission
• sanction
• okay
• install
• initiate
• let
• induct
• OK
• inaugurate
• credential
• privilege
• clear
• instate
• swear in
• enfranchise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disqualify
• prevent
• deny
• exclude
• stop
• discourage
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• disallow
• constrain
• obstruct
• shut out
• prohibit
• block
• ban
• hold back
• bar
• forbid
• enjoin
• disbar
• disfranchise
• veto
• disenfranchise
• outlaw
• proscribe
• interdict

3

as in to verify

to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of

please bring in a doctor's note to certify that you were really sick

Synonyms & Similar Words

• verify
• confirm
• argue
• support
• validate
• prove
• authenticate
• attest
• corroborate
• vindicate
• bear out
• demonstrate
• substantiate
• witness
• affirm
• establish
• testify (to)
• guarantee
• reinforce
• declare
• document
• assert
• vouch (for)
• warrant
• profess
• aver
• back (up)
• avouch
• avow
• reenforce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refute
• disprove
• rebut
• deny
• contradict
• challenge
• question
• gainsay
• disclaim
• disavow
• contest
• dispute

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb certify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of certify are attest, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When would attest be a good substitute for certify?

The meanings of attest and certify largely overlap; however, attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

In what contexts can vouch take the place of certify?

In some situations, the words vouch and certify are roughly equivalent. However, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When could witness be used to replace certify?

Although the words witness and certify 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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of certify

That’s when states must appoint their electors (the folks who actually cast the vote for president in the electoral college), and the state executive (usually a governor) certifies them. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

It’s certified as USDA Organic, non-GMO Project Verified, and OU Kosher. —Robin D. Schatz, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) are at each other's throats over which party can truly be trusted to certify the 2024 election, Axios has learned. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024

Thousands of Trump supporters mobilized to block election certification Thousands of supporters of former president Donald Trump have been trained how to pressure local election officials to refuse to certify the vote ahead of November's election, according to a new report from Lawfare. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024