transitive verb

• 1Provide or serve as clear evidence of.

  ‘his status is attested by his recent promotion’

  More example sentences

  • ‘his numerous drawings of ships attest to his fascination with them’
  • ‘Compaq's growth, in particular, is attested by anecdotal evidence from industry.’
  • ‘Substantial evidence now attests to the extent of doctors' unhappiness with the state of their relationships with managers.’
  • ‘No certain archaeological evidence exists to attest these invasions, and there is still much uncertainty about the route taken and places visited.’
  • ‘A mass of evidence attests to the instability of unmarried relationships.’
  • ‘International empirical evidence attests to the large economy-wide returns from public investment in infrastructure.’
  • ‘Regardless of the evidence attesting to the safety of abortion, the idea that abortion constitutes a health risk remains the subject of debate.’
  • ‘Scientific evidence attested to the portrait's 17th Century origins.’
  • ‘The fragility of their beliefs is also attested to by how abusive they become when questioned.’
  • ‘The popularity of hobbies is attested to by the enormous range of specialist hobby magazines one can find on the shelves of any newsagency.’
  • ‘Alexander the Great's managerial ability is attested to by his successes.’
  • ‘The circumstantial evidence all attests to these being excellent translations.’
  • ‘The image of the human body and its pervasiveness in both thought and literature attest to Alexander Pope's declaration that the only true study of mankind is man himself.’
  • ‘International awards like these attest to the film's universal appeal.’
  • ‘Many landmarks attest to the richness of its history.’
  • ‘Both public documents and private testimonies attest this fact.’
  • ‘The existence of a free labour market here is well attested.’
  • ‘Long-distance trade both east and west is well attested, as well as internal commerce in artefacts and foodstuffs.’
  • ‘America's emotional attachment to flags attests the country's penchant for patriotic spectacle.’

  Synonyms

  indicate, show, reveal, be evidence of, display, exhibit, manifest, denote, evince, signify

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  1. 1.1no object Declare that something exists or is the case.
     ‘I can attest to his tremendous energy’
     More example sentences

     • ‘the deceased's attorney attested that he had been about to institute divorce proceedings’
     • ‘I know a few professors who can attest to this.’
     • ‘Numerous young professional players can attest to his tireless encouragement and invaluable expertise.’
     • ‘Many highly trained professionals can attest to the irrelevance of evolutionary theory.’
     • ‘Many therapists and counseling professionals showed up to attest to the efficacy of the drug.’
     • ‘As a former graduate student in sociology, I can attest to the accuracy of your claim.’
     • ‘Jill can attest to the rewards of having the courage to move on.’
     • ‘Even opponents from his days in the Indiana Senate attest to his character and ability.’
     • ‘Grey's products range from around $45 - $115, and those who have been using them for years can attest to their durability.’
     • ‘I can attest to the absolute bureaucracy that is entailed when you go to apply for funding from any of the relevant statutory agencies.’
     • ‘But rank and file American travelers can attest to the changing attitudes of Western Europeans toward the United States in recent decades.’
     • ‘I am a psychotherapist and can attest to the value of my field.’
     • ‘Those traveling with me can attest to that fact.’
     • ‘His family, not just George, can attest to his character.’
     • ‘As a reporter who covered the Johnson Senate, I can attest it bears little resemblance to the Daschle Senate.’
     • ‘Several witnesses attested to the fact that the mother could adequately care for the children on her own.’
     • ‘The patient must sign a written request in the presence of two witnesses attesting that the patient is competent and acting voluntarily.’
     • ‘There was no shortage of character witnesses willing to attest to their integrity.’
     • ‘Hence my appeal for witnesses who could attest that there were no warning signs in place.’
     • ‘Other witnesses, whose evidence the judge also accepted, attested to her reactions at that time and confirmed her evidence.’
     • ‘Mr. Mason steps forward to attest as a witness that his sister, Bertha, is still alive.’
     • ‘Reliable witnesses attest that she was as tough as nails.’
     • ‘They obtained letters attesting to her good character.’
     Synonyms

     declare, maintain, contend, argue, state, claim, propound, submit, posit, postulate, adduce, move, advocate, venture, volunteer, aver, proclaim, announce, pronounce, attest, affirm, protest, profess, swear, insist, avow

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  2. 1.2Be a witness to; certify formally.
     ‘the witnesses must attest and sign the will in the testator's presence’
     More example sentences

     • ‘Skaters desirous of taking part in trials should bring their birth certificates duly attested by principals of their respective schools.’
     • ‘They had no intention to verify or attest the Deceased's signature.’
     • ‘Participants must be present at the venue with bona fide certificates attested by their school head master or principals.’
     • ‘Once the forms are signed, candidates have them attested by a gazetted officer before submitting them, in bulk, to the electoral registration officer.’
     • ‘One has to produce a colour photograph of the family duly attested by the principal of the school.’
     Synonyms

     certify, corroborate, confirm, verify, substantiate, document, authenticate, give proof of, provide evidence of, evidence, demonstrate, evince, display, exhibit, show, manifest, prove, endorse, back up, support, guarantee

     View synonyms