Definition of validatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb validate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of validate are authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When might authenticate be a better fit than validate?

Although the words authenticate and validate have much in common, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

In what contexts can confirm take the place of validate?

While the synonyms confirm and validate are close in meaning, confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

When would corroborate be a good substitute for validate?

While in some cases nearly identical to validate, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

Where would substantiate be a reasonable alternative to validate?

The synonyms substantiate and validate are sometimes interchangeable, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

When is verify a more appropriate choice than validate?

The meanings of verify and validate largely overlap; 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 validate On the opposite sideline, second-year quarterback Drake Maye can validate after-the-fact his candidacy for Most Valuable Player. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026 When the same agencies advancing a project are also responsible for validating its assumptions, skepticism is inevitable — especially when surrounding neighborhoods are asked to absorb the consequences. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 Punxsutawney club members say there are two types of people who show up at Phil’s spot about 80 miles (123 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh — those seeking to validate their beliefs and doubters who want to confirm their own skepticism. Mark Scolforo, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026 Mayors of other county cities have recently validated that truism. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for validate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for validate
Verb
  • But the numbers have been steadily climbing as a network of international nongovernmental organizations has worked to verify the scale of the crackdown.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Engineers continue to verify system readiness before allowing underwater testing to begin.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Others, including prohibitions on universal vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting -- two voting methods that have proved popular in some states -- would happen immediately.
    LISA MASCARO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The community response is not only defending people, but also providing a powerful counter-narrative that is proving MAGA’s assumptions about America wrong.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Iran’s sweeping crackdown on anti-government demonstrations left more than 6,800 people dead, the vast majority of them protesters killed last month, according to an advocacy organization tracking and confirming the fatalities.
    Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Ivory mentioned that a similar pipe failure last summer caused more than $1 million in damage and said recent site visits have confirmed that these breakdowns are recurring and structural, not accidental.
    La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The following components work together to establish this style’s iconic look.
    Erica Puisis, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The proposal also establishes more predictable timelines for preparing environmental impact statements, reducing delays and providing greater certainty for both developers and financing partners.
    Carlina Rivera, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mayor Mamdani can prove his critics wrong, and demonstrate his commitment to his principles, by making traditional Medicare a central pillar of his health policy.
    Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Each shot is composed with intention and elegance, and editor George Cragg demonstrates a keen understanding of which moments merit long, unbroken takes and when cuts are necessary.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Validate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/validate. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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