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 None of the characters are named beyond a letter, and their age and race are not specified—a deliberate choice by Ireland to avoid validating people’s preconceived ideas regarding victims of abuse. — Carey Purcell, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 In moments of uncertainty, there is a tendency to return to what is familiar, to what has already been validated, to what appears to carry less risk. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 The attackers first validated their exploit worked by sending HTTP, requests and DNS, ICMP, and out-of-band identity checks to domains hosted on public services. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 The settlement administrator has to count and validate the claims before that figure can be determined. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for validate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for validate
Verb
  • And when the state can verify with high confidence that $37 belongs to someone, send the $37.
    — Mark Lewyn, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The opponents also contend — as do many independent election experts — that California already has robust measures for verifying the eligibility and identity of voters, and that voter fraud, including by noncitizens, is exceedingly rare.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo.
    — CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus — also known as contact tracing — has proved difficult in Congo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That list was culled to 1,015 firms, and finalists completed surveys to confirm key details.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • If the testing confirms that the drug is what the pharmacy claims, that specific lot is approved for compounding.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Lafayette 148 will open its first Dallas boutique at NorthPark Center Tuesday, establishing a dedicated presence in the 30-year-old brand’s top five markets.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • There, local fishermen demonstrated their sustainable crayfish harvesting process, and as a spectacular touch, the helicopter lifted one of the crayfish tanks straight out of the ocean, giving our client a dramatic view of the abundant catch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Validate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/validate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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