Can people understand each other and express their ideas without a sufficient understanding of words? The answer is a resounding no; words help build a language, making it easy for people to communicate and understand each other. Learn about “ratify definition and meaning” to use the word correctly in your sentences.
Ratify means to give formal consent to something. Use the word to express a decision or write something to make it official. The term applies in both informal and formal settings, but it is primarily a formal word.
That means the best way to learn about “ratify” is to understand how to use it both officially and non-officially. Doing so will make it easier for you to use the words properly to express yourself. This article focuses on the ratify definition, pronunciation, meaning, history, and everything relevant about the word to understand it better.
What is the Definition of Ratify?
Officially the word “ratify” means to enact or establish legally or legislatively. The term is mainly used when something is done or arranged by agents or representatives. In most cases, it refers to action taken.
Here are sentence examples:
- The house met twice this month to rectify a constitutional amendment.
- We will have to wait for the board to ratify the decision on municipal waste management.
- Seven countries so far have decided to ratify the agreement, and that means a lot to traders.
Unofficially, use the word “ratify” to mean to approve something. Here, the term describes an agreement between you and some people. It could be family, friends, or colleagues.
Here are sentence examples:
- You need your parents to ratify if you will be taking a vacation to New York.
- My brother has to ratify me to use his golf kit.
- My uncle has to ratify us to use his house for a party on Saturday.
What is the Meaning of Ratify?
Ratify also means reaching a conclusion or a decision. Use the word when describing something that you have made the decision on or something that someone has decided.
Here are sentence examples:
- Do you think Mary will ratify to marry Timothy?
- How did you ratify that divorce? Was it the best decision?
- Soon Leon might ratify to get into politics.
Words Linked With Ratify
Do you know that some words link with “ratify?” These words can either be synonyms, antonyms, or rhyming words. The article will discuss some of the words connected to “ratify.”
Synonyms
Here is a list of words that have the same or near meaning with ratify.
- Approve
- Confirm
- Validate
- Accept
- Certify
- Uphold
- License
- Okay
- Finalize
- Bless
- Approbate
- Enact
- Degree
- Pass
- Legalize
Antonyms
Here is a list of words that are the opposite of the word ratify.
- Reject
- Decline
- Disallow
- Destroy
- Negative
- Veto
- Oppose
- Destroy
- Disagree
- Refuse
- Avoid
- Vitiate
- Bar
- Block
- Scrap
Rhymes
Here is a list of words that rhyme with ratify.
- Qualify
- Justify
- Amplify
- Classify
- Identify
- Purify
- Apply
- Beauty
- Comply
- Mystify
- Reply
- Personify
- Goodbye
- Reunify
- Deify
Words That Often Get Confused With Ratify
Ratify vs. rectify: Ratify and rectify are words commonly confused since they have almost near spellings. But these two words are different in that ratify means to give formal consent while to rectify means to amend something.
Ratify vs. approve: The word ratify and approve have near meanings; ratify means to make it officially valid, while the word approves means to confirm something.
Ratify vs. sign: Another word most people often confuse ratify with is sign. However, the two are different because ratifying means giving formal consent, while signing means making a mark.
Ratify vs. confirm: Another word most people confuse is rectify and confirm. Ratify means to give formal consent to something or to make it official, while to confirm means to be resolute.
Ratify vs. support: Ratify means to give formal consent, while support means to be accountable for or involved with.
Ratify vs. pass: The word ratify means to make a valid official, while to pass means to move from one place to another.
Ratify vs. codify: Ratify means to give a formal contest, while codifying means to reduce to a code.
Ratify In Different Settings
What does ratify mean in law? In law, ratify means to approve or enact a legally binding act that would not be binding if the approval is not present.
What does ratify mean in religion? The word ratify in religious settings means to approve or sanction some religious practices formally.
How to Use Ratify in a Sentence
The word “ratify” is a verb, and it shows an action, state, or occurrence. Use the term when talking about something which got approved or sanctioned.
When using the word ratify, remember that it is mostly a verb and an affirmative statement. Another question most people ask is, is ratify a negative word? No, the word ratify is not negative. It means to approve formally. It mainly applies in positive settings. While some people might not consent to the ratification at hand, the majority agree, and it’s always taken as positive.
Different Words For Ratify, Meaning, and Examples
The word ratify two different word forms; ratified and ratification. Here is a look at what these words mean and the various ways to use the word in your sentences.
Ratified is an adjective. The word ratified means confirmed by formal or authoritative consent or approval.
Here are example sentences:
- Popular votes ratified the law.
- The treaty passed since it got ratified by all the member states.
- After much negotiation, the insurance company ratified to pay the victims of the accidents.
Ratification is the noun form. The word ratification means the action of signing or giving formal contest to a treaty, contract, or agreement.
Here are example sentences:
- The ratification of the law only took place when the legislators agreed.
- Most people disagreed with the ratification, which is why they were angry when the bill passed.
- How did the ratification of the bill come to pass?
10 Examples of Ratify in a Sentence
Are you ready to learn more? Here are ten sentences to help you better understand the word ratify.
- Over ten states are yet to ratify the climate convention.
- The manager needs to ratify his reappointment.
- Maxwell refused to ratify the agreement of his daughter to get married to the governor.
- Unfortunately, the senators did not ratify the bill that would help increase hospital funding.
- One thing that you should note before leaving this meeting is that the shareholders will ratify any merger that will help increase their dividends.
- If the managers choose to ratify the set budget, it will be in effect from next week.
- The war will continue until all the countries ratify the treaty.
- Today the principal will ratify the budget for the senior party.
- If you do not ratify the divorce documents, you will never be truly free in your relationship.
- Anyone who will want to join the party later would first have to ratify the agreement we have made today.
How Do You Spell Ratify?
Spell the word as “R.A.T.I.F.Y.”
The word “ratify” is easy to spell, especially for those who know the phoenix sounds. Learning the proper spelling of a word is essential since it will give you an easy time writing the word down.
The last thing that people want to read when you send them any information or message is poorly spelled words. That will make them not give your message the importance it deserves or end up not understanding what you are trying to communicate. So, it is vital to ensure you know the correct way to spell each new word you learn.
How Do You Pronounce Ratify?
The correct way to pronounce the word “ratify” is “ra,tuh,fai.”
When pronouncing the word, start fast and then slow down as you reach the end of the phrase. Proper pronunciation is essential as it helps people understand you and any information you are trying to pass along. That is why taking your time and learning the best way to pronounce a word is vital.
How Many Syllables Are In Ratify?
The word ratify has three syllables, divided as “rat.i.fy.” The stressed syllable of the word is “rat.”
Knowing the number of syllables is handy when learning the correct word’s spelling and pronunciation. In addition, these syllables help you better understand the word and the correct way to write or pronounce it.
History & Etymology of Ratify
The word “ratify” comes from the Latin word “ratifien,” which means to “confirm, approve, or validate.” Later, Medieval Latin used the word “ratificare,” meaning confirm, approve, and fix.
Later the French borrowed the word and used it as a “ratifier” but retained the exact meaning. Then English borrowed the word and changed it to “ratify.”
When Was Ratify First Used?
The first time that the word “ratify” came out was in the 14th century to mean to approve or sanction something or someone officially.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a single word that means to approve or sanction, then the word is “ratify.” The article has discussed everything you need to know about the word, from the ratify definition to the various ways you can use the word in your sentences. After reading and comprehending the word’s meaning, go ahead and practice using the term by creating multiple sentences.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.