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 Kayleigh Davies, antiques specialist at Auctionet, told Newsweek that the best way to learn to authenticate luxury pens is to handle the genuine article. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 All of these safeguards ensure shoppers get authenticated Labubus in a jiffy. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 10 Sep. 2025 No actual login credentials, secrets, or personally identifiable information required to authenticate are ever stored unencrypted. Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025 From then on, when someone visits the site, the server uses its key pair and its digital certificate with the TLS protocol to authenticate itself and to establish a secure communication channel with the other connecting party. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for authenticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authenticate
Verb
  • After the election Once polls close and every vote has been submitted to the Jackson County and Kansas City election boards, the results of Tuesday’s election will go into effect as soon as its results are certified by the two election boards.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The carryall’s German calfskin leather is Leather Working Group–certified, meaning it’s made responsibly and sustainably, and this fabric is further elevated through the powers of its corresponding Italian suede trim, which makes all those formal edges gloriously softer.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Vanderbilt hospital is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center within 150 miles, the top designation verified by the American College of Surgeons for around-the-clock specialists, a high volume of trauma cases, robust research and quality patient care.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Staffing levels to help in emergencies and maintain trash, restrooms, campgrounds and roads are not guaranteed, according to the National Park Service.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The White House said the executive order guarantees that AI will be integrated into US Department of Health and Human Services systems for sharing health information among health care systems, organizations and patients.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The man, whose position CNN confirmed independently, said he could be arrested too, but that would not stop the business.
    Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the men died after being struck by lightning.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Quarterly earnings in early August affirmed that concern, even with strong comps as beef prices still dented results.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The Cayman’s exterior has always affirmed the model’s legitimacy as a light and compact mid-engine athlete.
    Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Producers who ship nursery stock out of regulated areas to non-regulated areas must have their stock inspected, and each load must be accompanied by a certificate that attests to the fact that their product is free from the box tree moth.
    Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But since then, protests have been mostly peaceful, and residents have attested to the calm.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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