Synonym Chooser

How does the verb confirm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of confirm are authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, and verify. While all these words 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

When is authenticate a more appropriate choice than confirm?

While the synonyms authenticate and confirm are close in meaning, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

When is it sensible to use corroborate instead of confirm?

While in some cases nearly identical to confirm, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

When could substantiate be used to replace confirm?

The synonyms substantiate and confirm are sometimes interchangeable, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

In what contexts can validate take the place of confirm?

The meanings of validate and confirm largely overlap; however, validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When would verify be a good substitute for confirm?

In some situations, the words verify and confirm are roughly equivalent. However, 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 confirm His mother suffered injuries to her arms but was not in the chamber itself, authorities confirmed. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters In an apparent ending to weeks of intense speculation, the White House confirmed Friday that President Donald Trump will be leveling aggressive tariffs this weekend on major U.S. trading partners. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025 Many encouraged Garcia to confirm the pregnancy with a doctor. David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 Nelly will be performing at president-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday (Jan. 20), an inside source has confirmed to Billboard. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for confirm 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confirm
Verb
  • Bank statements: Lenders typically require statements from the past two months to verify you have adequate savings and to check for any red flags.
    Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
  • To verify the laws and guidelines in your state, contact your local child welfare agency.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In order to approve legislation using budget reconciliation, lawmakers must first approve a budget resolution, but the House has faced a backlash from conservatives in recent days over the legislation.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Perhaps the biggest problems are that supervisors approved as lawful 99% of stops, frisks and searches, frequently rubber-stamping behavior that clearly failed to comply with the rules.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Tarrant County prosecutors argued that Shanay Franklin caused the death of 14-month-old Journee Clark in February 2021 by hitting the child or slamming her against an object or surface, according to an indictment.
    Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2025
  • According to the surviving victim, who was not identified, her mother and Navarro had been arguing for at least an hour.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Under Serbian law, the resignation must be ratified by the Parliament, which now has 30 days to either select a new government or call for a snap election.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Only three — Iran, Yemen and Libya — have not ratified or updated their portion.
    Thais Lopez Vogel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who credited Pelinka with rumors of the trade not getting out before the deal was finalized, spoke with reporters on Sunday after the trade was officially made earlier in the day.
    Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Adoptions were finalized in a joint ceremony on Dec. 27 in Edwardsville.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Overwhelmed by the futility of purchasing a home in South Pasadena, where Alexis’ family had been a longtime part of the community, the couple accepted.
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Hauser & Wirth have an outpost here, and Koller Auctions, the leading Swiss auction house accepts consignments at any time.
    Alexandra Cheney, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near confirm

Cite this Entry

“Confirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confirm. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confirm

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