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to testify

to testify

142 4.9
To show that something is true with proof
  • verb
  • /ˈtɛstəˌfaɪ/
translation icon : atestiguar
  • The statistics from the official Salon exhibitions testify to the growing visibility of portraiture.
  • testify to the fact
  • testify to success
  • testify to the efforts

And sadly, most of our manufactured environment, I think testifies to a degree of carelessness.

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Examples

  • We were invited to testify before a bipartisan committee about opioid abuse.

  • Well, I'm here to testify that I found a pair.

  • Will you testify to that?

  • I can testify to that if you want me to.

  • A number of girls do escape, do testify, and do seek asylum.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I can testify that it was Bo's body found in the river.

  • I now have a man who is prepared to testify that he was with me at the time of the girl's disappearances.

  • I've been asked to testify about Lewis Strauss.

  • An abundance of historical publications testifies to Panamanians' determination to explore their history.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The witness agreed to testify about what she saw on the night of the crime.

Synonyms

to show
vsto testify
1.0

To give proof that something is true

is mainly about acting as a sign of truth rather than simply making things clear
to prove
vsto testify
3.1

To show that something is true by giving facts or reasons

is more about indicating truth rather than fully settling the matter
to demonstrate
vsto testify
579 3.0

Show that something is true using evidence or examples

is more about being a sign itself rather than focusing on the method
to corroborate
vsto testify
111 9.0

Use evidence to show that a statement or idea is true

is the direct sign of truth itself rather than just adding support
to attest
vsto testify
  • Formal
57 6.6

To officially confirm that something is true, often in court

is more general and may be informal rather than a formal confirmation
to evidence
vsto testify
  • Formal
46 6.5

To show that something is true

is an act or sign that plays that role rather than just material
to substantiate
vsto testify
  • Formal
44 7.2

To show that something is true by giving proof or facts

is more about being an indication itself rather than supplying backing
to bear witness
vsto testify
  • Formal
29 4.6

Show that something is true, often by signs or by people saying they saw it

is a broader sign or indication not limited to spoken confirmation
to bear out
vsto testify
7 4.7

Show by facts that something is true

is often used for the sign itself rather than the supporting authority
to certify
vsto testify
  • Formal
3 3.8

To give formal proof that something is true

is less formally bound and may simply indicate truth without paperwork
to witnesseth
vsto testify
  • Archaic
9.9

Shows something as true in a legal document

is the modern general action indicating truth rather than archaic formal wording

Antonyms

210 5.1

Refuse to give something someone wants or needs

How Convincing

to prove
3.1
to demonstrate
579 3.0
to testify
142 4.9
to show
1.0
to indicate
834 2.7
to suggest
2.1

Surface Forms

testify infinitive
testified past
testified past participle
testifying present participle
testifies third person singular

Morphology

testify = test (semi-transparent) = test + ify

Formally decomposes as 'test' + '-ify', but the modern meaning ('bear witness, provide evidence') aligns with 'testimony/witness' rather than 'make a test', so the relation is not fully obvious to learners.

Etymology

Testify comes from the Latin word testis, which means 'witness', and it is the same root as testimony; imagine a monument or clear fact that 'stands as a witness'. So when something testifies to something, it acts like evidence that shows the truth.