Synonym Chooser

How does the verb verify contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of verify are authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, and validate. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," 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

When is it sensible to use authenticate instead of verify?

The meanings of authenticate and verify largely overlap; however, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

When could confirm be used to replace verify?

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

confirmed the reports

Where would corroborate be a reasonable alternative to verify?

Although the words corroborate and verify have much in common, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

When might substantiate be a better fit than verify?

The synonyms substantiate and verify are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 verify?

The words validate and verify can be used in similar contexts, but validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

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 verify The extravagant international songwriting competition has millions of devoted fans worldwide, with viewers allowed to vote for their favorites in the bid for the top contender (to be verified by officials backstage). Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 May 2025 The police verified Jenna’s assertion that the tank had been empty all along, but for some reason, no one had thought to check whether the valve had been opened. Max Gao, Variety, 16 May 2025 Delete original files: After verifying the transfer, delete the original files from your PC to free up space. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025 Whether health care consumers come across health information on social media, in an email or through a messaging app, here are three reliable ways to verify its accuracy and credibility before sharing: Use a search engine to cross-check health claims. Angshuman K. Kashyap, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for verify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verify
confirm
Verb
  • Steve Burton confirms 'General Hospital' exit over vaccine mandate: This 'hurts'Need a break?
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • The Tiger King star confirmed the deportation of Flores via social media.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Verify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verify. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on verify

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