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 Those accounts have been corroborated by mounting evidence that includes videos and photos from the ground, survivor testimonies and satellite images. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 The information was corroborated by House of Heat, whose speculative mock-ups appear in the image above. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025 When details couldn't be verified, NPR corroborated information with immigration experts, activists, and a developer for an app that documents confrontations with federal agents. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025 Additional interviews with employees helped corroborate the trafficking allegations, police said in a news release. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
Verb
  • However, in a bright spot for Sony, a sequel to the movie has already been confirmed, with Netflix reportedly providing the Japanese company a $15 million cash bonus for the first film’s performance.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Family members confirmed to Sacramento television station KCRA that the man found at the apartment was McClintic.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The initiative is structured around three sequential and mutually reinforcing workstreams that aim to accelerate lowering emissions, boosting efficiency and building long-term resilience.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Tested for real-world conditions Before shipboard testing, the team verified performance using a full-scale simulation facility measuring 25 by 5 by 5 meters.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Drivers should verify what’s excluded — particularly glass coverage, rental reimbursement, and uninsured-motorist protection.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The program aims to bolster student nutrition in a year when federal nutrition programs were transitioned to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the governor's office said.
    Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025
  • China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The conviction was later vacated in 2016, after a new legal team argued that Max’s original trial lawyer had a conflict of interest in the case.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Schumer on Saturday persisted in arguing that Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The middle class, desperate to prove this distinction too, would spend an outsized portion of their income on glimmering dresses and other purchases meant to be seen by others.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
  • All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on corroborate

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