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 So, to find out if this is the cause, to verify the infection, go outside to your tree, and cut into the light-colored sapwood of a dying branch, and look for greenish-black streaks and discoloration. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025 Instructors encourage participants to slow down, verify, and never feel rushed into sharing information – especially if contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency. Kennedy Hayes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Since then, scientists have been racing to replicate and verify those results with increasingly ambitious experiments. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025 This video has not been independently verified. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verify
confirm
Verb
  • In response to a Star inquiry, the State Department confirmed Arrington’s role in obtaining the replica and described the former director as helpful and knowledgeable.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The legendary, beloved actress has died at 79, it was confirmed on Saturday.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verify. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on verify

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