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 Her paper corroborates other recent research, which suggests the public health impact of the Maui fires are greater than what our health-tracking systems are able to initially catch. Jessica Rendall, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The woman’s statement was corroborated by Facebook messages between the two, according to the plea agreement. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025 Defense witnesses corroborated that the brothers' upbringing was less than idyllic. Jessica Sager, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Their relatives have rallied around them, corroborating claims José was inappropriate with his sons. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • North Korean state media also confirmed that Kim was attending the parade at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
    Stella Kim, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Evergreen Park coach Jim Ramazinski confirmed that Evans will play a big role in helping this year’s team try to achieve that goal.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • These forms of intimacy between a couple reinforce one another; sharing their emotions with one another will enhance physical closeness in turn, and vice versa.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The news organizations verified the data, including by soliciting input from professors at universities in Texas.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • At one point during the hearing, the Health secretary claimed that Black boys who receive the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine have a higher risk of autism, which has never been verified by scientists.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The summer has brought new signings and movement for the clubs who finished around them, but Leicester have not similarly bolstered, instead bringing in two players (25-year-old defender Heather Payne and 31-year-old midfielder Celeste Boureille) on frees and 19-year-old goalkeeper Katie Keane.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Kevin Carter | Getty Images JetBlue Airways plans to install Amazon's Project Kuiper on some of its airplanes to bolster in-flight Wi-Fi, the companies announced Thursday, in a vote of confidence for the nascent internet satellite service.
    Annie Palmer,Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But there are Republicans who argue that the changes to Medicaid strengthen the program for the most vulnerable.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There was no such good fortune this time in the Pacific Northwest as Washington proved to be too big, too fast and too good, coming in as a 35-point favorite and then unleashing a record performance.
    Joe Davidosn, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, the Bundys and five others were acquitted of all charges after jurors said prosecutors failed to prove their intent.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on corroborate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!