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 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 With the help of an unpredictable assassin named Louie (Butler, who also plays the Pope), the pair embark on a dark and murderous journey to steal and authenticate the priceless work. Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 The weapon was authenticated through its serial number, which matches information from FBI records, according to Morris. Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for authenticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authenticate
Verb
  • If the case is eventually certified as a class action and proves successful, each class member would be provided three times actual damages or a statutory damages provision of $1,500.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The latter is known as one of the greatest albums of all time and is certified five-times platinum by the RIAA.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, a law enforcement source later told The New York Times that the findings, from a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms report, had not been verified by the agency’s analysts and could have been misinterpreted.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • If verified, some researchers suggest this respite also could be a glimpse of future hurricane seasons, with the historic early-to-mid-September peak pushed back on the calendar.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The pre-authorization letters included a line saying payment was not guaranteed, but Sutton-Schulman didn’t think much of it.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Spending guarantees nothing by itself, but if all teams were highly competent, using the time value of money with a rising cap would seem to create a competitive advantage.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 200-acre campus, now called Aspiria, is a contender for a potential Royals ballpark after the team confirmed that an affiliate purchased the mortgage of the campus in the spring, giving the team some financial leverage over the site.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as Daniella Weisman from Glencoe, a spokesperson confirms to PEOPLE.
    Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Having breathed in the fresh air of the mountains, affirmed his love for his girlfriend, and taken in the beautiful view, Daniel all but forgets about his fight with his mother.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Since then, however, the court has allowed states to ban gender-affirming care for minors and has agreed to review Idaho’s and West Virginia’s bans on transgender athletes joining sports teams.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many Bachelor Nation fans can attest that the franchise has been in need of an overhaul for a while now.
    Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The nongreasy formula also delivers a luminous, glowy finish that even shoppers in their 80s can attest to.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

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