When people want to show that something is true, correct, or officially accepted, they often use the word certify. But many other words carry the same idea. Words like approve, validate, confirm, or authorize can work in different situations. In this article, we will look at the 18 best synonyms for certify.
| Synonym | To show that something is correct or true | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Approve | To officially accept or agree with something | The manager approved the new plan. |
| Confirm | To permit something | She confirmed the booking by email. |
| Validate | To make something official or legal | The bank validated the check. |
| Authorize | The lab confirmed the test results. | The school authorized the field trip. |
| Endorse | To support or sign something as true | The doctor endorsed the medical form. |
| Attest | To show proof that something is true | The witness attested to the signature. |
| Verify | To check and prove something is right | He verified the data before sending it. |
| Ratify | To officially accept or sign an agreement | The board ratified the new policy. |
| Authenticate | To prove something is real or true | The jeweler authenticated the diamond. |
| Sanction | To officially approve or allow | The council sanctioned the project. |
| Warrant | To guarantee the truth or quality of something | The seller warranted the product for one year. |
| Recognize | To formally accept something as true | The committee recognized his achievement. |
| Uphold | To support or maintain a decision | The judge upheld the earlier ruling. |
| License | To give official permission for an activity | The state licensed her to practice medicine. |
| Notarize | To have a document signed by a notary | The lawyer notarized the contract. |
| Confirmate | To officially establish something as true | The lab confirmated the test results. |
| Establish | To set something as accepted and true | The report established the facts. |
| Prove | To show something beyond doubt | The results proved the method works. |
18 Different Ways to Say CERTIFY: Another Word for CERTIFY
Approve
Approve means to give formal agreement or acceptance to something. It is often used when a person or an authority gives the final yes to an idea, action, or decision. When something is approved, it is accepted as correct or suitable. This word is commonly used in workplaces, schools, and legal settings, making it a very useful synonym for “certify.”
- The board approved the annual budget.
- Her father approved her travel plans.
- The teacher approved the project proposal.
Confirm
Confirm means to make sure that something is true, correct, or agreed upon. It adds a sense of assurance that no mistake has been made. This word is often used in daily life when booking hotels, events, or meetings. To confirm is to give strong support that what was said or done is reliable.
- He confirmed the flight schedule.
- She confirmed the order with the supplier.
- The test confirmed the diagnosis.
Validate
Validate means to officially prove that something is correct, acceptable, or legal. It gives strength to the value or truth of an action, document, or idea. For example, when a credit card is validated, it becomes active and ready for use. This word is especially useful when dealing with documents or processes that require proof.
- The clerk validated the parking ticket.
- The system validated his password.
- The judge validated the contract.
Authorize
Authorize means to give permission or power to someone to act. It shows that a person or group has the right to carry out an action. This synonym for certify often appears in business or legal matters. When someone is authorized, they have official support behind them.
- The doctor authorized the use of new medicine.
- The company authorized the payment.
- She was authorized to sign the papers.
Endorse
Endorse means to support, approve, or sign something to show it is true or acceptable. People often use endorse when talking about contracts, checks, or even public support for an idea. It adds weight and trust to a decision or action. To endorse is to certify through support or agreement.
- The bank endorsed the check.
- The professor endorsed the research findings.
- The celebrity endorsed the product.
Attest
Attest means to give evidence that something is true or correct. It shows that someone has seen, experienced, or knows about the fact directly. This synonym is often used in formal or legal settings where proof is needed. To attest is to stand as a witness that something is accurate.
- The witness attested the signature.
- The scientist attested the results of the study.
- The student attested that he completed the work.
Verify
Verify means to carefully check that something is correct, accurate, or real. It involves looking at facts or information and making sure they are right. This synonym for certify is very common in daily and professional settings. Verification removes doubts and gives confidence in the truth.
- The officer verified the documents.
- The scientist verified the experiment results.
- The bank verified his identity.
Ratify
Ratify means to make something official by signing or approving it. This word is commonly used when groups, councils, or governments accept an agreement or treaty. Ratification adds final approval to an action. To ratify is to certify by formally accepting something.
- The senate ratified the agreement.
- The club ratified the new rules.
- The board ratified the decision.
Authenticate
Authenticate means to prove that something is real, genuine, or true. It is often used for objects, documents, or accounts. When something is authenticated, it is accepted as original or correct. This synonym adds trust and removes doubts.
- The app authenticated the user login.
- The museum authenticated the painting.
- The jeweler authenticated the gold ring.
Sanction
Sanction can mean to give approval or permission to something. In this sense, it is a synonym for certify, showing official agreement. It is used when actions or projects need to be supported by authority. Sanction gives legitimacy to an action.
- The council sanctioned the new park.
- The manager sanctioned the hiring process.
- The school sanctioned the new club.
Warrant
Warrant means to promise, guarantee, or give assurance that something is true or correct. It is often used with products, actions, or claims. A warrant is like a strong statement of trust. This synonym for certify adds weight to what is being confirmed.
- The seller warranted the laptop for two years.
- His skills warranted the promotion.
- The lawyer warranted the truth of the document.
Recognize
Recognize means to accept or admit that something is true or valid. It can also mean showing formal respect or acknowledgment. To recognize is to certify by officially noting the truth or importance of something. It often adds a sense of value and respect.
- The company recognized his efforts.
- The law recognizes equal rights.
- The school recognized her talent.
Uphold
Uphold means to support, maintain, or confirm a decision, law, or truth. When something is upheld, it is defended and kept valid. It is often used in courts, laws, or rules. To uphold is to certify by keeping a standard or decision in place.
- The judge upheld the decision.
- The court upheld the contract terms.
- The committee upheld the policy.
License
License means to give formal permission to do something. It often comes in the form of a legal document or official approval. A license certifies that a person or group is allowed to perform a specific action or business. It is a synonym that shows permission and authority.
- The state licensed the new driver.
- The agency licensed the company.
- The board licensed the doctor.
Notarize
Notarize means to have a document checked and signed by a notary public. This process proves that the document is official and correct. To notarize is to certify with legal weight. It is often used for contracts, agreements, and legal papers.
- The lawyer notarized the will.
- The officer notarized the real estate contract.
- She notarized her business documents.
Confirmate
Confirmate is a formal word that means to officially establish something as true. Though less common today, it is still understood in formal writing or legal papers. It shows the act of making something certain or verified. As a synonym for certify, it adds a sense of strong proof.
- The team confirmated the findings.
- The lab confirmated the blood test results.
- The board confirmated the agreement.
Establish
Establish means to make something certain, accepted, or set in place. When a fact or rule is established, it is certified as true or official. This synonym shows the act of proving and setting something firmly so that others accept it. It carries authority and permanence.
- The report established the truth.
- The company established the policy.
- The research established a clear link.
Prove
Prove means to show clearly that something is true, correct, or real. It removes doubt and gives evidence. This synonym for certify works in both daily life and formal settings. To prove is to bring strong reasons or facts that support a claim.
- The evidence proved his statement.
- The results proved the theory.
- Her actions proved her honesty.

Final Thoughts
Certify is a powerful word, but many other words can take its place depending on the situation. From approve and confirm to prove and endorse, each synonym adds its own strength. By using these words, you can express approval, truth, or trust in different ways. They all bring certainty and authority.





