Meaning & use
ratify
Last updated
UK/ˈræt.ɪ.faɪ/
US/ˈræt.ə.faɪ/
Meaning
verbtransitive
To formally approve an agreement or treaty so that it becomes officially valid.
Grammar: Takes an object: ratify the treaty; it is not used for ordinary personal choices.
Patterns
- ratify a treaty
- ratify an amendment
- ratify something by vote
The senate voted to ratify the trade agreement.
Two more states must ratify the amendment before it takes effect.
Word forms
| third person singular | ratifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | ratified |
| past participle | ratified |
| -ing form | ratifying |
Common combinations
- ratify a treaty
- The assembly moved quickly to ratify a treaty ending the dispute.
- ratify an agreement
- Union members will ratify an agreement after the vote.
- overwhelmingly ratify
- The board overwhelmingly ratified the new safety rules.
- refuse to ratify
- The legislature refused to ratify the unpopular pact.
Synonyms and how they differ
- approve
- Approve is general; ratify is formal approval that makes an agreement valid.
- confirm
- Confirm can mean support or verify; ratify specifically validates an agreement.
- validate
- Validate means make valid; ratify is done by an authorized person or body.
- adopt
- Adopt means formally accept, often rules or policies; ratify fits treaties and amendments.
Opposites
Word family
- ratification noun
- the formal act of approving an agreement
Commonly confused: ratify or rectify?
ratify vs rectify
Rectify means correct an error; ratify means formally approve an agreement.
Practice
Which verb best fits this formal context: “The committee will ___ the treaty next month.”
Choose one answer.
Ratify means formally approve a treaty. Rectify is tempting because it looks similar, but it means correct, not approve.
Make it your own
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