authenticate

verb

au·​then·​ti·​cate ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkāt 

ȯ-

authenticated; authenticating

transitive verb

: to prove or serve to prove to be real, true, or genuine

authenticate a document

authenticator

ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkā-tər 

ȯ-

noun

Synonyms

• attest
• avouch
• certify
• testify (to)
• vouch (for)
• witness

Choose the Right Synonym for authenticate

confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate mean to attest to the truth or validity of something.

confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

verify implies the establishing of correspondence of actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed at.

all statements of fact in the article have been verified

authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

Examples of authenticate in a Sentence

The signature has been authenticated.

a jeweler authenticated the diamond as real

Recent Examples on the Web

In response, Judge Alicia Rosenberg granted a protective order requiring Sanford to collaborate with a digital evidence expert to extract, authenticate, and provide the messages from the physical phone itself, but with privacy guardrails. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

In the new store, the brand will have authenticated resale of its own products using a unique digital ID system that provides each piece’s supply chain transparency and authenticity. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024

Last week, in an unprecedented move, a Swiss auction house sold an artwork solely authenticated by artificial intelligence (AI). —George Nelson For Artnews, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024

These days, Major League Baseball positions employees in each dugout to immediately authenticate everything from milestone baseballs to gear worn by players. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin authenticātus, past participle of authenticāre "to stamp as genuine or authoritative," derivative of Latin authenticus "original (of documents)" — more at authentic

Note: Compare as a secondary source Middle French autentiquer "to guarantee that something conforms to a norm."

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

authenticate

verb

au·​then·​ti·​cate ə-ˈthent-i-ˌkāt 

ȯ-

authenticated; authenticating

: to prove or serve to prove that something is authentic

authentication

-ˌthent-i-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

authenticate

transitive verb

au·​then·​ti·​cate

authenticated; authenticating

1

: to prove or serve to prove that (something) is genuine

especially : to prove that (an item of evidence) is genuine for the purpose of establishing admissibility

2

: to make (a written instrument) valid and effective by marking especially with one's signature

authenticate a check