authenticate

verb

au·​then·​ti·​cate ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkāt How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
ȯ-
authenticated; authenticating

transitive verb

: to prove or serve to prove to be real, true, or genuine
authenticate a document
authenticator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for authenticate

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 authenticate in a Sentence

The signature has been authenticated. a jeweler authenticated the diamond as real
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In response, Judge Alicia Rosenberg granted a protective order requiring Sanford to collaborate with a digital evidence expert to extract, authenticate, and provide the messages from the physical phone itself, but with privacy guardrails. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 In the new store, the brand will have authenticated resale of its own products using a unique digital ID system that provides each piece’s supply chain transparency and authenticity. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024 Last week, in an unprecedented move, a Swiss auction house sold an artwork solely authenticated by artificial intelligence (AI). George Nelson For Artnews, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024 These days, Major League Baseball positions employees in each dugout to immediately authenticate everything from milestone baseballs to gear worn by players. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authenticate 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin authenticātus, past participle of authenticāre "to stamp as genuine or authoritative," derivative of Latin authenticus "original (of documents)" — more at authentic

Note: Compare as a secondary source Middle French autentiquer "to guarantee that something conforms to a norm."

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of authenticate was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near authenticate

Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authenticate. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

authenticate

verb
au·​then·​ti·​cate ə-ˈthent-i-ˌkāt How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
ȯ-
authenticated; authenticating
: to prove or serve to prove that something is authentic
authentication noun

Legal Definition

authenticate

transitive verb
au·​then·​ti·​cate
authenticated; authenticating
1
: to prove or serve to prove that (something) is genuine
especially : to prove that (an item of evidence) is genuine for the purpose of establishing admissibility
2
: to make (a written instrument) valid and effective by marking especially with one's signature
authenticate a check

More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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