witness
verb (used with object)
to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception.
had witnessed
-
past perfectof witness.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, said that he had witnessed "smashed shop windows, looted stores, and frightened citizens".
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026
It was not the first time I had witnessed a customer yelling at waitstaff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
I asked Fox if he was ready for the spotlight, which I had witnessed in full force in Louisville.
From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026
Matthew O’Brien acknowledged to jurors that no one had witnessed a person starting the Lachman fire and said determining the cause of the blaze required “a thorough investigation.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
That pure dread, as Lazlo had witnessed again and again since arriving in Weep, was a collective horror that had been building for two full centuries.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
