What’s the difference between ratify and approve?

How do I use ratify in a sentence?

Is ratify commonly used in academic writing?

Is ratify common in academic writing?

← Dictionary

ratify

/ˈræt.ə.faɪ/

IELTSAcademic

verb

To officially approve or confirm something so that it becomes valid or binding.

The council ratified the new policy last week.
She ratified the contract after reading it carefully.
The Senate must ratify this law.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: ratify is stronger than approve and more official than confirm; writers choose ratify for formal, legal, or treaty contexts where authority or final validation is clear.

In other languages

Spanish: Ratificar
Japanese: 確認する、批准する
Korean: 승인하다
Vietnamese: thuận hành, phê duyệt
Chinese: 批准

Common phrases

ratify a treatyratify an agreementratify the constitutionratify the minutes

Synonyms

approve authorize confirm validate endorse

Related words

agreement confirm law treaty validate

Frequently asked questions

Is ratify formal or informal?: Is ratify formal or informal?
What’s the difference between ratify and approve?: What’s the difference between ratify and approve?
How do I use ratify in a sentence?: How do I use ratify in a sentence?
Is ratify commonly used in academic writing?: Is ratify common in academic writing?