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 The earliest fire to which authorities allege Farinacci confessed to last week — and investigators were able to corroborate — happened on July 6, 2025, near Centennial Trail. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 According to state police, troopers were able to corroborate the victim’s account with dashboard camera footage from their vehicle. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 Now, a lawsuit filed by a producer who claims to have worked on the album appears to corroborate those rumors. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026 The allegations have been corroborated by other student loan borrower advocates. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • The sightlines are good and the atmosphere lively, confirming the potential of Plymouth, the biggest city in the country never to have hosted a top-flight football club.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In June, officials confirmed the formation of an El Niño, the natural warming of parts of the central Pacific that alters weather worldwide, that is expected to grow to historic strength.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The buffers that have minimized the disruption so far will hold for only so long and must be reinforced if the world is to endure future shocks.
    Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Human-scale FloatForms will require reinforced and even mechanically interlocked latches as well as GPS or visual sensing.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Images circulating on social media and verified by CNN appear to show large plumes of smoke over Mocha.
    Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • True Footage says its TrueTracts appraisal engine can land a valuation within 3% of a home’s eventual sale price — a claim drawn from KBB’s own early test markets and not yet independently verified.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Crowley and other Democrats argue the ads are meant to bolster Hong's standing in the primary because Republicans see her as the easier opponent.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Crowley and other Democrats argue the ads are meant to bolster Hong’s standing in the primary because Republicans see her as the easier opponent.
    Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That connection is ultimately what put Tupac’s life in jeopardy, Davis argued in the book Compton Street Legend, which has become a key piece of evidence in the case against him.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • No two tales of what happened to Maelor after his knight protector was shot dead agree, but the young boy was also slain on the bridge, perhaps torn apart by the mob who assailed him, arguing over what to do with the young prince.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But if Murray proves a strong match with O’Connell and Justin Jefferson, this team will be difficult to beat.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Gen immediately proves Aesha right by hoping the next guests are more demanding so cracks will show.
    Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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