Definition

1. Verb:
   • To approve and express formal assent, responsibility, or obligation: To make an agreement, treaty, contract, or amendment officially valid by giving formal consent or approval, typically through a signature or vote.

Usage

• The primary use of "ratify" is in formal, official, or legal contexts. It describes the final, authoritative act that gives binding force to a document or decision.
• It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (e.g., , ).
• The subject is usually an authoritative body or person (e.g., a parliament, congress, president, or board).

Examples

• Verb:
  • The senate must ratify the international agreement before it becomes law.
  • Ten more countries need to ratify the climate accord for it to take effect.
  • The board of directors voted to ratify the new company bylaws.

Advanced Usage

• "To be ratified": The passive voice is common, emphasizing the document or decision receiving approval.
  • The constitutional amendment was ratified by the required number of states.
• "Ratification" (noun): The act or process of ratifying.
  • The ratification of the treaty was a historic moment.

Variants and Related Words

• Ratification (n): The formal validation or confirmation of an act or agreement.
  • The ratification process can take several months.
• Ratifier (n): A person or body that ratifies.
  • The president is the chief ratifier of treaties.

Synonyms

• Approve: To have a favorable opinion of; to consent to officially.
• Confirm: To make something valid or binding by formal or authoritative act.
• Endorse: To give official support or approval to.
• Sanction: To give official permission or approval for.

Antonyms

• Reject: To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of.
• Veto: To refuse to give official approval to.
• Revoke: To officially cancel or annul.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "Ratify a treaty/convention": Common in international law and diplomacy.
• "Ratify a contract/agreement": Common in business and legal contexts.
• "Ratify an amendment": Common in constitutional or organizational governance.

Verb

1. approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
   • All parties ratified the peace treaty
   • Have you signed your contract yet?