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 Please call ahead to verify participation. Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025 The Statesman independently verified that the document did in fact contain Hazel’s Social Security number by reviewing Hazel’s Social Security card. Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025 If, for instance, there is an unusual purchase in a location far from where the customer lives, the bank will send the customer a message, looking to verify whether the transaction is legitimate. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2025 Utah and California have signed online-child safety bills that put the onus on app store makers to verify user ages. Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verify
confirm
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

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Cite this Entry

“Verify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verify. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on verify

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