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 TeamPCP, a ramshackle but extremely capable gang largely made up of teenagers, took credit for the attack, and researchers have largely corroborated the claim. ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 The company says the output must be corroborated through ordinary investigative methods. Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 Police said surveillance video corroborated the woman's statement, according to the complaint. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Up until she got married in 2021, there was no real confirmation of their relationship, save for some engagement rumors that were corroborated by her Insecure costars Yvonne Orji and Jay Ellis. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • Check the timing, confirm the route, and explain your plan clearly.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • X-ray analysis confirmed the sequence of zinc-ion and proton storage.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • To reinforce its point, the North followed up Thursday with a barrage of about a dozen short-range ballistic missiles launched from around the capital, Pyongyang, eastward toward the sea, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Stick Velcro dots to the underside of the felt at the top and bottom, reinforcing the adhesive under the Velcro dots with a little bit of hot glue.
    Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Upon being notified of a Ukrainian vehicle, the operator can verify the target and determine the best way to engage it, including by calling for artillery fire or directing a strike drone against the vehicle.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Every ticket listed on those three sites will be verified by LA28, which has signed commercial partnerships with those third-party platforms.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Kim also has bolstered his diplomatic credentials by aligning with Russia over its war against Ukraine and taking steps to deepen cooperation with China.
    Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Here, the wealthy and asthmatic young politician, bolstered by time spent outside among manly men, grew strong enough to meet his destiny.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.
    Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But others take issue with her premise the exercises are unnecessary, arguing that scaling them back puts US forces –– almost 30,000 of them stationed in South Korea and over 50,000 more in nearby Japan –– in a more dangerous situation.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Attempts to lure Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha have proven fruitless, with neither appearing likely to advance at this stage.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The bank argued that combination may prove difficult to sustain.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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