ratify
verb
rat·i·fy
ˈra-tə-ˌfī 
ratified; ratifying
: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
Synonyms
Examples of ratify in a Sentence
A number of countries have refused to ratify the treaty.
Lincoln's home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite these arguments, large majorities in both Houses of Congress passed the Amendment, which was then ratified by 28 states over the next 15 years.
—
Janet Golden / Made By History, TIME, 23 May 2024
Protests against the state takeover began this year, which led the Houston Federation of Teachers, the largest teachers' union in Houston, to recently ratify a resolution calling for Superintendent Miles's removal following a 98 percent vote of no confidence.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ratify 
Janet Golden / Made By History, TIME, 23 May 2024
Protests against the state takeover began this year, which led the Houston Federation of Teachers, the largest teachers' union in Houston, to recently ratify a resolution calling for Superintendent Miles's removal following a 98 percent vote of no confidence.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ratify
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ratify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ratify
Cite this Entry
“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ratify
verb
rat·i·fy
ˈrat-ə-ˌfī
ratified; ratifying
: to give legal or official approval to
ratify a treaty
Legal Definition
ratify
transitive verb
rat·i·fy
ˈra-tə-ˌfī
ratified; ratifying
: to make valid or effective
especially
: to adopt or affirm (as the prior act or contract of an agent) by express or implied consent with the effect of original authorization
unable to rescind the contract because he ratified it by accepting the benefits
compare reform
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