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 There was a real desire and so much energy spent on featuring, uplifting and authenticating this genre of music by having the real music makers from this genre create [the music]. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025 Watch brands such as Vacheron Constantin and Breitling have relied on blockchain to authenticate their timepieces since 2019, hailing the technology as forgery-proof and incorruptible. India Brown, Robb Report, 1 July 2025 The project aims to authenticate the identity of humans with its Orb device and prevent the fraudulent abuse of artificial intelligence systems like deep fakes. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 8 June 2025 The bottle itself has been authenticated by David Maister. Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for authenticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authenticate
Verb
  • The new astronaut candidates will next undergo roughly two years of training at NASA before being certified as full astronauts, eligible for future missions.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • The Office of Government Ethics certified the report in compliance with legal requirements, the source said.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Starvation stalks Gaza According to figures from Gaza's Health Ministry, verified by the World Health Organisation, deaths from malnutrition and starvation are spiking.
    Dawoud Abu Alkas, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Passengers should bring a physical ID with them to the airport, such as a Real ID-compliant driver's license or a passport, in case their identity can't be verified.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Opening a distillery, even in Kentucky where 90% of the world’s bourbon is produced, doesn’t guarantee success.
    Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 22 Aug. 2025
  • An epidemiology grant, which was supposed to be guaranteed through 2026, was shuttered.
    Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
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
  • Two homeless men are confirmed dead and at least two more are missing after floods in Milwaukee.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Republican president also affirmed that the U.S. would back European security guarantees aimed at preventing Moscow from reinvading Ukraine once the war ends.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But Ruiz dismissed that concern after pressing attorneys for the federal government to affirm that Krome was now hearing cases for detainees.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This could include rectifying overdue child support payments, probation compliance, community testimony attesting to their good moral character, mentoring those with similar pasts, repayment of benefit overpayment or repayment of taxes.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • As anyone who’s experienced the din of a busy airport, freeway or even Manhattan at rush hour can attest, noise linked to transportation can be overwhelming.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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