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 Information such as diagnostic codes, clinical encounter data, prescriptions, and hospitalizations can all be used to corroborate someone’s claim of medical frailty. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 30 July 2026 Two senior health-ministry officials, speaking anonymously, told the magazine that at least 30,000 dead (and possibly many more) was a likelier figure, and one that was corroborated by a group of first responders who collected data surreptitiously. James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Further corroborating Silas’ fate is the fact that also gone is Numan Acar who played his fixer Esad Kasgarli in Season 1. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 July 2026 Those benefits are all self-described by the brand, but Hadid and tens of thousands of shoppers corroborate them. Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • Orange County Health Care Agency officials have confirmed the county's first human West Nile case of 2026, which some medical experts believe could be one of the worst mosquito seasons on record.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, health officials in Michigan — which has the most cyclosporiasis cases — confirmed the first deaths linked to this outbreak in the United States.
    Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Football introduces more students and families to the university and reinforces that a local, affordable higher education option with Division I athletics exists right on the South Side.
    Monique Carroll, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Over the years, Vizard has watched visitors come to the farm to admire the birds, reinforcing her belief that the farm should continue to be used as an open space.
    Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 7 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
  • The Cubs bolstered their pitching staff with a series of moves ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, acquiring Clay Holmes from the New York Mets and reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels.
    Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Padres thus bolstered their rotation by acquiring left-hander Robbie Ray from the Giants and, reportedly, right-hander Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That’s why the oil market may be underpricing that risk, argued Tompkins.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The more pragmatic camp argues that maintaining unity during the war requires addressing the public's unhappiness over the economy as well as political and social repression.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Unfamiliar Hungarian names from the nearby vineyards on the wine list can prove a revelation—in a good way—at lunch or dinner.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But Covid-19 vaccines have consistently proved to provide significant protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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