ratify

[ rat-uh-fahy ]

/ ˈræt əˌfaɪ /

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verb (used with object), rat·i·fied, rat·i·fy·ing.

to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction: to ratify a constitutional amendment.

to confirm (something done or arranged by an agent or by representatives) by such action.

Nearby words

rathole, rathouse, rathskeller, raticide, ratification, ratify, ratine, rating, rating badge, rating nut, ratingen

Origin of ratify

1325–75; Middle English ratifien < Middle French ratifier < Medieval Latin ratificāre, equivalent to Latin rat(us) calculated (see rate¹) + -ificāre -ify

SYNONYMS FOR ratify

1 corroborate, approve.

2 validate, establish.

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ANTONYMS FOR ratify

1 veto, disapprove.

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Related forms

rat·i·fi·er, nounnon·rat·i·fy·ing, adjectiveun·rat·i·fied, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ratify

“It is not dissimilar from Putin using the Duma to ratify his annexation of the Crimea,” he said.
Britain’s PM Cameron And His Awful Assault on Human Rights Court|Nico Hines|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To the Americans, however, the invasion was “not to ratify a victory already won; it was to seize that victory by brute force.”
D-Day Was The Largest And One Of The Bloodiest Invasions In History|James A. Warren|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prof. Takao Tanase also believes that Japan will ratify the convention, but not fully implement it.
Japan’s Child Kidnapping Problem|Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky, Jake Adelstein|May 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By December 11th, they were faced with the option of choosing which side's shenanigans to ratify.
What if the Supreme Court Had Turned Down Bush v. Gore? (Redux)|Megan McArdle|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In fact, six of the eight states that refused to ratify were Southern (I include here Kentucky, not a CSA state, but Southern).
The South's Contribution (Singular!)|Michael Tomasky|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The question was taken up on the 19th and the resolution to ratify was considered first.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI|Various
And in return for this moderation on the one side, the other agreed to support and ratify the new election of the Northumbrians.
Harold, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
She is then compelled to ratify these treaties or agreements; it looks better.
Peking Dust|Ellen N. La Motte
Give me the pen here that I may sign and ratify these warrants.
Henry VIII And His Court|Louise Muhlbach
Massachusetts was thus the sixth state to ratify the Constitution.
The Critical Period of American History|John Fiske

British Dictionary definitions for ratify

ratify

/ (ˈrætɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

(tr) to give formal approval or consent to

Derived Forms

ratifiable, adjectiveratification, nounratifier, noun

Word Origin for ratify

C14: via Old French from Latin ratus fixed (see rate 1) + facere to make

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012