ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ratified

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɹætəˌfaɪd// UK //ɹˈætɪfˌaɪd// rat·i·fied

adj. describing a formal agreement or law that has been officially signed and made real. You use this when a government or group finally says 'yes' to a plan.

adj. having been formally validated or confirmed by an official body, such as a parliament or government. Often used as a participial adjective to describe treaties or amendments that have cleared all legal hurdles.


SIMPLE

The new trade deal is finally ratified.

CONTEXTUAL

Once the treaty is ratified by at least ten member states, it will become international law.

COMPLEX

The ratified amendment represents a significant shift in national policy, though its practical implementation remains subject to the budgetary constraints of the current administration.

Synonyms
Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'is' or 'became', or precedes nouns like 'treaty', 'agreement', or 'contract'.

Pitfall

The government ratified to the treatyThe government ratified the treatyWhen used as a verb, it is transitive and does not require the preposition 'to'.

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