warrant

A court document allowing police to search a place, take property, or arrest someone.

• The police had a search warrant.
• A judge issued a warrant for her arrest.
• Officers searched the house without a warrant.

How to use it: a warrant for someone’s arrest (The court issued a warrant for his arrest.); a warrant to do something (Police obtained a warrant to search the garage.)

Similar words: court order

Common phrases: search warrant, arrest warrant, issue a warrant

An official document giving someone permission or authority to do a particular thing.

• The warrant gave him official authority.
• She received a warrant confirming her appointment.
• The inspector showed his warrant before entering.

How to use it: a warrant to do something (The officer carried a warrant to inspect the records.)

Similar words: authorization, permit

Common phrases: issue a warrant, official warrant, royal warrant

Something that gives you confidence that a claim is true or that a result is certain.

• The signature was a warrant of authenticity.
• We need stronger warrant for that claim.
• A famous name offers no warrant for quality.

How to use it: a warrant for something (Past success is no warrant for future success.)

Similar words: guarantee, proof, assurance

Common phrases: warrant of authenticity, warrant for success, sufficient warrant

To be a good enough reason for a particular action or response.

• This problem warrants attention.
• The risks warranted further investigation.
• Does the damage warrant replacing the whole roof?

How to use it: warrant doing something (The evidence warrants reopening the case.)

Similar words: justify, merit

Common phrases: warrant further investigation, warrant attention, warrant concern

To promise that something has a particular quality or value.

• The seller warrants the quality of the goods.
• The company warranted the parts against defects.
• We warrant this watch to be genuine.

How to use it: warrant something to be something (The seller warrants the ring to be pure gold.); warrant that… (The manufacturer warrants that the goods are free from defects.)

Similar words: guarantee

Common phrases: warrant the quality, warrant something against defects

To promise that something is true, or say that you strongly believe it.

• He will return, I warrant.
• I warrant that she spoke the truth.
• They have forgotten us, I’ll warrant.

How to use it: warrant that… (I warrant that he knows more than he admits.)

Similar words: assure, guarantee

Common phrases: I warrant, warrant the truth, warrant that something