Synonym Chooser

How does the verb authenticate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of authenticate are confirm, corroborate, substantiate, validate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

When might confirm be a better fit than authenticate?

While the synonyms confirm and authenticate are close in meaning, confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

Where would corroborate be a reasonable alternative to authenticate?

The words corroborate and authenticate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

In what contexts can substantiate take the place of authenticate?

The words substantiate and authenticate can be used in similar contexts, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

When is it sensible to use validate instead of authenticate?

While in some cases nearly identical to authenticate, validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When can verify be used instead of authenticate?

Although the words verify and authenticate have much in common, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of authenticate Each garment is authenticated and hand-sourced from his travels. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Jan. 2025 Authentication and Security Every SaaS business needs users to authenticate accounts, and supporting multiple methods is the modern best practice. Daniel Brame, PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2025 Giuliani briefly testified during Friday’s hearing, only to authenticate records about his personal finances. Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 Cards must be properly graded and authenticated to hold or increase in value, and storage is key, as any wear can greatly affect resale value. Darryl Lyons, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for authenticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authenticate
Verb
  • The petition — sponsored by Charlie Angus, a member of Parliament who has in the past called for Musk to be investigated over potential election interference — needed at least 500 signatures to be certified for presentation to the House of Commons.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The organization offers training via members who are also certified as flight instructors, the group’s website says.
    Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Critically, each action is verified and judged by an expert panel (including Duarte).
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The letters have not been independently verified by Newsweek.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, the Wizards re-signed Kuzma to a four-year contract worth $90 million guaranteed.
    Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
  • In the absence of NATO membership, Zelenskyy has said that more than 100,000 European troops could be needed in Ukraine to guarantee the conflict doesn’t flare up again after a ceasefire.
    Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Hoffner did confirm that all 25 locations were owned by one franchise-owner, which continues to own and operate other Dairy Queen restaurants in the state.
    Alana Edgin, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Currently, Google sends SMS codes for two reasons: to confirm that a new login is legitimate and to block spammers from opening Gmail accounts in bulk.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 2017, the federal appeals court for the Second Circuit, in affirming Mr. Ulbricht’s conviction, acknowledged the severe nature of the punishment.
    David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The vice president will read aloud the electoral votes, and then Congress counts each state's results to affirm Trump's victory.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His 12 fight-night bonus awards in 12 UFC outings can attest to that.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • And that god, as any parent of a teenager can attest, can be judging and unforgiving.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

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