WordValeratify
to give formal approval, making an agreement valid
In more detail
1. (verb) to officially confirm or approve something, especially a law, treaty, or agreement
Examples
- The Senate will ratify the new trade agreement next month.
How to use ratify
Ratify is used in formal, legal, and diplomatic contexts to describe the official approval of agreements, treaties, or legislative measures, typically by a government body or authorized authority. It implies a formal endorsement that gives something legal force, distinguishing it from mere approval or support.
Common phrases
- ratify a treaty
- ratify an agreement
- ratify a convention
- ratify a constitution
- formally ratify
Synonyms
approve · confirm · endorse · authorize · validate
Opposites
reject · repudiate · veto
Word family
ratification (noun) · ratifier (noun) · unratified (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse ratify with rationing (distributing limited resources); these are completely unrelated words despite their similar sound.
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