Definition of corroboratenext

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 Still, analysts caution that his claims will need to be independently corroborated. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 Some of today’s most interesting films are shot on such devices, under circumstances that corroborate their all-purpose convenience and utility. Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026 Subsequent studies, including on a civilian crew that spent just four days in orbit, have corroborated these results and suggest that immune dysregulation happens quickly during spaceflight. Scott E. Solomon, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026 In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the department corroborated information shared by police. Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • Within minutes, the utility dispatched the nearest crew, which was 26 miles away, to confirm the lines were de-energized.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Set one clear boundary today and confirm expectations so your commitments stay strong and manageable.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Bias asks whether the system perpetuates, amplifies, or introduces systematic disadvantage, including through feedback loops where biased outputs reinforce biased inputs.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
  • Officials stated the goal is to give drivers time to adjust and reinforce safe behavior around school buses.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Human oversight remains part of the workflow through integration with Robotic Security Operations Center, where remote analysts monitor activity, verify alerts, and direct responses when required, ensuring continuous supervision alongside autonomous functions, reports Electrek.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
  • These fires have been well documented and verified by emergency responders around the country.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Those years of high draft picks have led to a roster with impressive high-end talent in its young core, and general manager Pat Verbeek added a slate of veteran signees to bolster it.
    Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • Orange juice – rich in vitamin C, potassium, folate and sometimes vitamin D – has solid nutritional benefits that can bolster your immune system and your skin health.
    Gavin Escott, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Trump has argued that last weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner demonstrates why the ballroom is needed to hold safe, secure events for the president and other officials.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Some have argued that social media activity amounts to citizen journalism, but mostly citizen journalism appeared to have been displaced or subsumed by social media.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • Maybe the bright lights of a win-or-go-home playoff game proved too big of a moment for a young, inexperienced Hawks team.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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