Synonym Chooser

How does the verb verify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of verify are authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, and validate. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," 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

When is it sensible to use authenticate instead of verify?

The meanings of authenticate and verify largely overlap; however, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

When could confirm be used to replace verify?

While the synonyms confirm and verify 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 verify?

Although the words corroborate and verify have much in common, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

When might substantiate be a better fit than verify?

The synonyms substantiate and verify are sometimes interchangeable, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

In what contexts can validate take the place of verify?

The words validate and verify can be used in similar contexts, but validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

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 verify The letter stated that county attorney Matt Mills and elections administrator Stephanie Cooper were contacted and asked if the information submitted to the Commissioners Court had been independently verified. Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025 These systems can also support broader city functions, from verifying parking permits on college campuses to monitoring urban hazards––like street flooding or fallen powerlines––in real time. David Ly, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Health and Welfare and the Panhandle Health District encouraged residents to verify their family’s vaccination records. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2025 Your school may also have its own portal to verify your account. Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verify
confirm
Verb
  • Once on scene, first responders confirmed from multiple people that a man had indeed jumped from the bridge, the release said.
    Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
  • In all, 762 cases were confirmed in Texas, more than two-thirds of them in children, and more than 94% of cases were in unvaccinated people, according to state health data.
    Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Verify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verify. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on verify

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