Synonym Chooser

How does the verb validate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of validate are authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When might authenticate be a better fit than validate?

Although the words authenticate and validate have much in common, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

In what contexts can confirm take the place of validate?

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

confirmed the reports

When would corroborate be a good substitute for validate?

While in some cases nearly identical to validate, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

Where would substantiate be a reasonable alternative to validate?

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

the claims have yet to be substantiated

When is verify a more appropriate choice than validate?

The meanings of verify and validate largely overlap; however, 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 validate There have been persistent accounts, none ever fully validated, that the incoming Reagan administration dealt with Iran to delay the release until after the new president’s inauguration. Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 25 June 2025 Our earliest conversations were casual in tone, validating, and a huge relief. James Folta, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025 The change will go into effect in the fall, and in the interim, colleges will have to validate the identity of certain first-time applicants who are enrolled in the summer term. Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025 James scored 37 points with 12 rebounds and four assists in a 95-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs to claim a title that largely validated his Heat superteam as an all-time great. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for validate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for validate
Verb
  • The confusion highlights the difficulty of verifying information on social media.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • One person attempting to enroll in the L.A. Community College District came to an in-person meeting to verify their identity and presented a California driver’s license with the weight listed in kilograms, said Nicole Albo-Lopez, the deputy chancellor of LACCD.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Venter said there was no evidence to prove that covid-19 had been manipulated in a lab, nor was there any indication the virus had been spreading before December 2019 anywhere outside of China.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
  • McVey is also an undefeated prospect who has proven to be a KO artist.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Ralphs’ death was confirmed in a statement from his representative, though no exact date or cause of death was given.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • Van Duyne, a Princeton graduate as confirmed by the institution to NBC News, was a mechanical engineer who began dating after a recent divorce, according to his lawyer.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • In order to establish a market rate for Orlik’s work, Ford proposed an exhibition at a friend’s gallery, in London.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
  • The nonprofit James Beard Foundation was established in 1986, shortly after chef and TV personality James Beard’s death.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Made up of students Rohan Jha, Rohan Jain, Audrey Cheng and Michael Antipov, the team demonstrated their knowledge in areas like earning income, spending, saving, managing credit, investing and managing risk, a news release from Frerichs’ office said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • Your contrarian takes demonstrate independent thinking that can't be faked or prompted into existence.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Validate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/validate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on validate

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