Synonym Chooser

How does the verb corroborate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of corroborate are authenticate, confirm, substantiate, validate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

When is it sensible to use authenticate instead of corroborate?

Although the words authenticate and corroborate have much in common, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

Where would confirm be a reasonable alternative to corroborate?

The synonyms confirm and corroborate are sometimes interchangeable, but confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

When is substantiate a more appropriate choice than corroborate?

The meanings of substantiate and corroborate largely overlap; however, 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 corroborate?

While in some cases nearly identical to corroborate, validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When could verify be used to replace corroborate?

In some situations, the words verify and corroborate 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 corroborate Portions of it informed early investigative steps in the FBI’s Russia probe, though many of its central claims were never corroborated. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Authorities are continuing to investigate to corroborate Valencia’s partner’s account, reviewing surveillance footage and cell phone data, and cross-referencing his narrative with the wounds on her body, per local reports. Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 The photographs joyfully corroborate the text’s account of a life that cannot be the case. Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 The Revelio Labs data may corroborate the sentiment that AI can help small companies grow more quickly. Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • Sor Juana’s verses confirm that venturing into the dating pool is always like stepping into a dark abyss.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Trump has confirmed what could be one of the largest mobilization strategies for the party-- a 'midterm convention' ahead of the 2026 races.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • China’s most powerful Communist leader in decades has built a reputation reinforced by state media during his 12-year rule as a serious and steady hand.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Completing each task gives your brain a small reward, reinforcing calm and focus when the kitchen gets hectic.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • To verify what was happening inside, Lomeli teamed up with his advisor, Tom Devereaux, who specializes in modeling X-ray spectra.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Larger cyber startups are moving aggressively to bolster their product offerings for the evolving threat landscape.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • And what may have been intended by the Kremlin as a way of bolstering its arguments over Ukraine, has possibly plunged us all into new, dangerous and unpredictable era.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When its army entered Gaza in late 1956, the Israeli government argued that national security interests required it to control the Strip.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The issue of filing deadlines wasn't argued before the Supreme Court, nor the circuit court, Wood said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Few people have mastered the art of quietly luxurious style as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, and a quick scroll through her Instagram page proves it.
    Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Regulating sports wagering has proven to be a challenge — and experts warn about the ramifications for gamblers who typically lose money.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on corroborate

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