certify vs authorize

certify and authorize both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
certify	No	No	Yes	No
authorize	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, authorize is a hypernym of certify; that is, authorize is a word with a broader meaning than certify:

Other hypernyms of certify include authorise, clear, pass.

certify (verb)	authorize (verb)
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes	grant authorization or clearance for
declare legally insane	give or delegate power or authority to
guarantee payment on; of checks
guarantee as meeting a certain standard
authorize officially