bear witness
Americanidiom
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to serve as evidence that something is true or real.
Not everyone’s sobriety can bear witness to the effectiveness of rehab, but in her case it most certainly can.
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to proclaim or demonstrate a devout belief in.
Who will join me in bearing witness to our Lord?
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to testify; give or afford evidence, as in a court of law.
When the case went to trial, he reluctantly agreed to bear witness against his neighbor.
Etymology
Origin of bear witness
First recorded in 1300–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's important for me to bear witness," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
“May you bear witness to those around you to the journey you are making, and inspire them to ask themselves questions as well,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
"Only studies like ours offer an overview of these traditions which bear witness to genuine know-how and diverse traditions."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
You have asserted your core First Amendment rights to speak, assemble, associate—to bear witness as a democratic check on an autocratic regime.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
Or would it bear witness again as we destroyed ourselves, leaving nothing behind but a living cloud of our knowledge, accomplishments, and so-called wisdom?
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
