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

One reporter actually tried to verify the Biden/Uncle Bosie/New Guinea cannibals story. —Ron Hart, Orange County Register, 26 Apr. 2024

Using public documents and files obtained under Kentucky's open records law, The Courier Journal has been able to verify the identities of two more interns connected to the mayor since then. —Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024

Once a traveler’s identity has been verified, the traveler is escorted by a Clear employee right to the front of a TSA security line. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024

According to the team, Roman sources say Augustus died in a villa north of the mountain in 14 C.E., but the building’s location has never been verified. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024

Its account also could not be independently verified. —Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Additional work, including verification drilling / sampling, will be required to verify the estimate as a current mineral resource. —Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024

Technically, Barnhart says, companies should verify their remote workers’ devices and make sure that there is no remote software connecting to a company laptop or network. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 22 Apr. 2024

Finally, this article was reviewed by a family medicine specialist on our Review Board, who verified the accuracy of our information and addressed any health and safety concerns. —Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Apr. 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