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

The results showed what many observers might consider apparent: that 90% of travelers look for local brands and try to bring products home that in some way authenticate their trips and experiences. —Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

McClellan worked with a leading Chopin expert from the University of Pennsylvania to authenticate the score. —Hannah Peart, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024

To authenticate click here For a full list of participating Pay TV providers click here Game availability click here MLB.TV INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIBERS: Live games are available internationally on MLB.TV (excluding Canada). —Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024

Some shows and live events require you to authenticate with your cable or video streaming service account. —PCMAG, 18 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