Definition of authenticatenext

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 For instance, commission hearings don’t include the right to testify under oath, authenticate evidence or subpoena and cross-examine witnesses, Talcott said. Calmatters, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026 For instance, commission hearings don’t include the right to testify under oath, authenticate evidence or subpoena and cross-examine witnesses, Talcott said. Calmatters, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026 Her lawyers hired an expert at Johns Hopkins University to authenticate her documents. Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 But while that’s a compelling story, the researchers failed to authenticate the age of the DNA, a significant limitation of the study, Caramelli says. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authenticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authenticate
Verb
  • Those applying for children with a disability must submit a firm that certifies the student’s disability, an evaluation and/or a Texas individualized education plan.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Nixon-Clark, who was 16, was certified to be tried as an adult after the case was first filed in a juvenile court.
    Emerson Clarridge Updated February 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But the numbers have been steadily climbing as a network of international nongovernmental organizations has worked to verify the scale of the crackdown.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Engineers continue to verify system readiness before allowing underwater testing to begin.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The regime blames its bankruptcy on sanctions and claims to be working toward their removal while making foreign policy choices guaranteed to trigger more sanctions.
    Azadeh Moaveni, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The board's nine members would serve at the mayor's behest, and charter and traditional public schools would each be guaranteed three representatives.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Iran’s sweeping crackdown on anti-government demonstrations left more than 6,800 people dead, the vast majority of them protesters killed last month, according to an advocacy organization tracking and confirming the fatalities.
    Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Ivory mentioned that a similar pipe failure last summer caused more than $1 million in damage and said recent site visits have confirmed that these breakdowns are recurring and structural, not accidental.
    La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In response to the congressional request, Coupang affirmed its compliance.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
  • These bills have targeted gender-affirming care, bathroom access and trans people’s participation in sports.
    Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As managing director at the luxe Bluefields Bay Villas on the island's relaxed and radiant southwestern coast, Moncure attests that this is a part of the island that never feels crowded, even as cruise ships and busy all-inclusives bring thousands of tourists elsewhere in Jamaica.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
  • As General Motors can attest, collisions can spell the end of a self-driving business.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

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