verify

verb

ver·​i·​fy ˈver-ə-ˌfī 

verified; verifying

transitive verb

1

: to establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of

verify the claim

2

: to confirm or substantiate in law by oath

verifier

ˈver-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• argue
• attest
• authenticate
• bear out
• certify
• confirm
• corroborate
• substantiate
• support
• validate
• vindicate

Choose the Right Synonym for verify

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 verify in a Sentence

She verified her flight number.

He verified that the item was in stock.

Can you verify whether I am scheduled to work or not?

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts must verify and interpret AI’s output within the context of their knowledge and experience. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

America First Legal's counsel, James Rogers, said in a statement Thursday that the group is hopeful the records could be used to verify the citizenship of voters on the list. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024

In January 2023, the state's governor, a Republican, passed a voter ID law that limited how out-of-state students can verify their identities to cast ballots. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

Newsweek has not independently verified these claims and has contacted Trump's team for comment via email on Friday outside of business hours. —Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English verifien, borrowed from Anglo-French verifier, borrowed from Medieval Latin vērificāre, from Latin vērus "true" + -ficāre -fy — more at very entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

verify

verb

ver·​i·​fy ˈver-ə-ˌfī 

verified; verifying

: to prove or check the truth, accuracy, or reality of

verify the claim

verifier

-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Etymology

Middle English verifien "to establish the truth of," from early French verifier (same meaning), from Latin verificare (same meaning), from earlier verus "true" — related to verdict, very

Legal Definition

verify

transitive verb

ver·​i·​fy ˈver-ə-ˌfī 

verified; verifying

1

: to confirm or substantiate by oath, affidavit, or deposition

verify a motion

2

: to establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of

Etymology

Anglo-French verifier, from Medieval Latin verificare, from Latin verus true + -ficare to make