accredit
verb
ac·cred·it ə-ˈkre-dət 
accredited; accrediting; accredits
transitive verb
1
: to give official authorization to or approval of:
a
: to provide with credentials
especially : to send (an envoy) with letters of authorization
accredit an ambassador to France
b
: to recognize or vouch for as conforming with a standard
The program was accredited by the American Dental Association.
c
: to recognize (an educational institution) as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions or for professional practice
2
: to consider or recognize as outstanding
an accredited scientist
3
: attribute, credit
an invention accredited to the company's founder
accreditable
ə-ˈkre-də-tə-bəl
adjective accreditation
ə-ˌkre-də-ˈtā-shən
noun -ˈdā-
Synonyms
- ascribe
- attribute
- chalk up
- credit
- impute
- lay
- put down
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The association only accredits programs that meet its high standards. The program was accredited by the American Dental Association. The invention of scuba gear is accredited to Jacques Cousteau. accredit an ambassador to France
Recent Examples on the Web The federal government doesn’t accredit colleges directly, and instead relies on accreditors to vet universities. 
Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022 But a new certification will accredit the true leaders, adding a layer of transparency and setting a higher standard for corporate responsibility. Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 23 Sep. 2019 Support for such health-improving effects could come from the organizations that accredit medical schools, like the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Marc Succi, STAT, 24 May 2022 But the only entity authorized to accredit demining efforts in Colombia was the Organization of American States. Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2021 Another concern is using teams of employees from other labs to inspect and accredit their peers. Ellen Gabler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2021 Everything Matters Now, which details that global executives accredit 63% of their company’s market value to their company’s reputation. Fran Biderman-gross, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021 Labs pay the groups to do inspections and accredit them, with a stated goal of ensuring quality and keeping labs in compliance with government regulations. Ellen Gabler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2021 The Education Department doesn't individually accredit colleges. Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 2 June 2021 See More
Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022 But a new certification will accredit the true leaders, adding a layer of transparency and setting a higher standard for corporate responsibility. Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 23 Sep. 2019 Support for such health-improving effects could come from the organizations that accredit medical schools, like the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Marc Succi, STAT, 24 May 2022 But the only entity authorized to accredit demining efforts in Colombia was the Organization of American States. Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2021 Another concern is using teams of employees from other labs to inspect and accredit their peers. Ellen Gabler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2021 Everything Matters Now, which details that global executives accredit 63% of their company’s market value to their company’s reputation. Fran Biderman-gross, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021 Labs pay the groups to do inspections and accredit them, with a stated goal of ensuring quality and keeping labs in compliance with government regulations. Ellen Gabler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2021 The Education Department doesn't individually accredit colleges. Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 2 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
probably borrowed from Latin accrēditus, past participle of accrēdere "to give credence to, believe, put faith in," from ad- ad- + crēdere "to entrust, believe" — more at creed
First Known Use
1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1
accredit
verb
1
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else accredits his good choice of movies to reading a reviewer who seldom steers him wrong Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ascribe
- attribute
- credit
- impute
- refer
- blame
- assign
- connect
- put down
- attach
- chalk up
- lay
- link
- associate
- pin (on)
- impute (to)
- charge
- father (on)
2
as in to enable
to give official or legal power to took a course that accredited her to teach first aid Synonyms & Similar Words
- enable
- authorize
- empower
- qualify
- certify
- license
- commission
- permit
- entitle
- invest
- allow
- approve
- charter
- endorse
- sanction
- warrant
- licence
- affirm
- vest
- validate
- induct
- confirm
- credential
- initiate
- indorse
- inaugurate
- install
- let
- instate
- okay
- privilege
- clear
- enfranchise
- OK
- swear in
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disqualify
- prevent
- deny
- exclude
- hinder
- discourage
- impede
- inhibit
- disallow
- constrain
- obstruct
- stop
- prohibit
- block
- ban
- forbid
- disbar
- hold back
- proscribe
- enjoin
- bar
- outlaw
- veto
- disenfranchise
- disfranchise
- shut out
- interdict
3
as in to applaud
to declare enthusiastic approval of generally accredited as the finest American dramatist of the postwar generation Synonyms & Similar Words
- applaud
- hail
- praise
- acclaim
- commend
- endorse
- laud
- salute
- tout
- cheer
- approve
- crack up
- recommend
- emblazon
- celebrate
- clap
- doff one's hat to
- bravo
- doff one's cap to
- indorse
- eulogize
- favor
- support
- extol
- ballyhoo
- adulate
- idolize
- glorify
- rise (to)
- sing
- overpraise
- magnify
- deify
- flatter
- extoll
- belaud
- root (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- knock
- disparage
- belittle
- slam
- blame
- criticize
- pan
- admonish
- censure
- chide
- put down
- rebuke
- reprobate
- reprimand
- vilify
- reprove
- reprehend
- castigate
- reproach
- excoriate
- discommend
- lambaste
- lambast
- skewer
- slag
- keelhaul
4
as in to approve
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory thus far the board has refused to accredit the school Synonyms & Similar Words
- approve
- ratify
- confirm
- endorse
- accept
- sanction
- authorize
- finalize
- acknowledge
- formalize
- approbate
- certify
- sign
- homologate
- affirm
- warrant
- validate
- clear
- okay
- permit
- bless
- enable
- initial
- license
- allow
- pass
- canonize
- sanctify
- indorse
- OK
- legalize
- rubber-stamp
- licence
- reapprove
- sign off (on)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deny
- reject
- disallow
- disapprove
- prohibit
- forbid
- veto
- turn down
- negative
- enjoin
- proscribe
- decline
- ignore
- refuse
- ban
- disregard
- overlook
- neglect
- interdict
- spurn
- illegalize
- rebut
- rebuff
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of accredit are approve, certify, endorse, and sanction. While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.
the board voted to accredit the college
must be certified to teach
The words approve and accredit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.
the parents approve of the marriage
The words endorse and accredit can be used in similar contexts, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.
publicly endorsed her for Senator
In some situations, the words sanction and accredit are roughly equivalent. However, sanction implies both approval and authorization.
the President sanctioned covert operations