warrant
/ˈwɒr.ənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɔːr.ənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwȯr-ənt ˈwär-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈwɒrənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɔːrənt/ (ame, ipa)
warrant — verb
1. If a situation, fact, or event warrants a particular action or response, it prov
If a situation, fact, or event warrants a particular action or response, it provides sufficient reason for that action to be taken or considered appropriate.
Jiwoo's doctor said the injury did not warrant a visit to the hospital.
warrant + noun phrase (visit/investigation)
The sudden drop in temperature warranted a warning to local farmers about frost.
Kian believed the new evidence warranted reopening the case from five years ago.
Quan argued that a small mistake of this kind does not warrant an official complaint.
- nullify
to cancel the justification for something
文法句型
warrant + noun phrase
warrant + gerund
does not warrant + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or official contexts, especially law and business. The subject is typically a situation, condition, or fact rather than a person. 'Not warrant' followed by a gerund is a common pattern: 'does not warrant changing.'
常見錯誤
2. To state firmly and with strong certainty that something is true, correct, or wi
To state firmly and with strong certainty that something is true, correct, or will happen as described.
Adina warranted that the shipment would arrive before the Friday deadline.
warrant + that-clause
Lakshmi told the customer, "I warrant this watch keeps perfect time with no errors."
"I warrant you, the fish at that market is always caught fresh," said the old fisherman.
Justin warranted that the old bridge could safely support the weight of a loaded truck.
文法句型
warrant + that-clause
I'll warrant (you) (that)
用法筆記
This sense is somewhat old-fashioned or literary in modern English. The fixed expression 'I'll warrant (you)' is used to reassure someone about a fact. In everyday speech, 'I guarantee' or 'I promise' is far more common.
常見錯誤
3. To make a formal promise that a product, service, or item meets a stated standar
To make a formal promise that a product, service, or item meets a stated standard of quality, authenticity, or good working condition.
The manufacturer warrants all electrical parts for a period of two years from purchase.
warrant + for + time period
Soraya bought a used car that was warranted to be free of any engine problems.
passive: be warranted to be + adjective
Élise warranted the antique vase as an authentic piece from the Ming dynasty.
Esme signed a contract that warranted the house had no termite damage or mold issues.
- guarantee
more common in everyday language; 'warrant' is more technical and legal
- certify
usually implies an official third-party verification rather than a seller's promise
- underwrite
to accept financial responsibility; used in insurance and finance
文法句型
warrant + noun phrase
be warranted + for + time period
warrant + that-clause
用法筆記
Common in commercial and legal writing. Often used in the passive voice: 'the product is warranted for one year.' The that-clause pattern ('warrant that') overlaps with sense 2 but here it focuses on a product's qualities rather than declaring a general fact.
常見錯誤
warrant — noun
1. An official court document authorizing police or other authorities to search a l
An official court document authorizing police or other authorities to search a location, arrest an individual, or pursue a specific legal measure.
Christopher showed the judge clear evidence to support the request for a search warrant.
search warrant
The police obtained an arrest warrant for the man suspected of the bank robbery.
arrest warrant
Yuki said the new contract was a death warrant for the small family business.
Evelyn watched the officer read the warrant aloud before entering the building.
- court order
broader term; covers any directive from a court, not limited to police actions
- writ
a formal written order from a court; 'warrant' is a specific type of writ
- summons
orders a person to appear in court, rather than authorizing arrest or search
文法句型
search/arrest/bench/death warrant
issue a warrant
execute a warrant
用法筆記
Often appears with a prefix indicating the type: search warrant, arrest warrant, bench warrant (for failing to appear in court), death warrant. 'Issue a warrant' is the standard verb collocation. The figurative 'death warrant' means something that will cause the end of something.
常見錯誤
2. A good reason or acceptable basis for doing something, especially when the actio
A good reason or acceptable basis for doing something, especially when the action might otherwise be seen as wrong or questionable.
Joon argued that there was no warrant for such harsh treatment of the new employees.
no warrant for + noun phrase
Imran questioned what warrant the manager had for accessing confidential staff records.
warrant for + gerund
The board found no warrant in the financial reports for changing the investment strategy.
Noor believed the audit findings provided no warrant for such drastic cost-cutting measures.
- justification
more common; strongly suggests defending an action against criticism
- grounds
usually plural; used especially in legal contexts
- basis
neutral and broad; the foundation on which a decision rests
文法句型
warrant for + noun/gerund
no warrant for
provide warrant for
用法筆記
Often used in negative constructions ('there is no warrant for...') or in formal questioning ('what warrant do you have...'). More formal and less common than 'reason' or 'justification' in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
3. A financial document that gives the person who holds it the right to buy shares
A financial document that gives the person who holds it the right to buy shares of a company's stock at a fixed price within a stated period of time.
The technology company issued stock warrants to investors who bought the new bonds.
issue stock warrants
The firm advised clients to exercise the warrants before they expired in March.
exercise a warrant
Heloísa bought warrants that let her buy shares at twenty-five dollars each.
Shareholders who held warrants could buy shares at a discounted price before December.
- stock option
similar concept but traded on exchanges; options are standardized, warrants are company-issued
- rights issue
gives existing shareholders the right to buy new shares, usually at a discount
文法句型
issue a warrant
exercise a warrant
buy/sell warrants
用法筆記
Technical financial term. Distinguished from a 'stock option' — warrants are issued directly by the company, often attached to bonds. The holder 'exercises' the warrant to buy shares at the 'strike price' before the 'expiration date'.
常見錯誤
4. Official permission or formal approval that makes an action legal, valid, or acc
Official permission or formal approval that makes an action legal, valid, or acceptable within a particular system or set of rules.
The director acted without proper warrant when he approved the overtime payments.
without warrant
The committee decided they had no warrant to change the rules without a vote.
have warrant to + infinitive
The new law gives health inspectors clear warrant to enter any restaurant without notice.
The lawyer argued that the emergency had no legal warrant under the state constitution.
- authorization
more common in modern usage; broader range of contexts
- sanction
formal approval from an authority; can also mean a penalty
- license
implies a specific permission granted by an official body
- prohibition
an official ban or restriction against an action
文法句型
without warrant
by warrant of
have warrant to
用法筆記
Primarily formal and legal register. Often appears in the phrase 'without warrant' meaning 'without proper authority.' In modern English, 'authority' or 'authorization' is more common in non-legal contexts.
5. A written promise from a seller or manufacturer that a product meets certain qua
A written promise from a seller or manufacturer that a product meets certain quality standards, or that specific conditions about a property or item are true.
The contract included a warrant that the house had no structural damage or pest problems.
warrant + that-clause
The buyer demanded a written warrant for the roof and heating system.
The seller gave a written warrant that the property had clear title with no debts.
Under the warrant, the company agreed to replace any defective parts at no extra cost.
文法句型
warrant + that-clause
give a warrant
under warrant
用法筆記
Less common in modern English than 'warranty' for everyday product guarantees. 'Warrant' in this sense appears more often in legal documents about property sales, title transfers, and formal contracts.