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 The one-two punch not only validates the once-struggling stock's recent resurgence. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 ProPublica verified the veracity of the unredacted database by comparing its booking records to those in Pinellas’ online search tool and by validating the booking dates and timestamps against the federal immigration datasets. Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2026 The grand jury report validates that this was an orchestrated scheme to steal public money from sick kids to use for political benefit. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 This extension is a significant relief for the sport, ensuring a top talent remains and validating driver feedback on future rules. Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for validate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for validate
Verb
  • Meta is also promising to do a better job of verifying users' ages and has agreed to report regularly to an independent auditor.
    Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Similar efforts to make quantum hardware more resilient include quantum chips designed to verify their own hardware, showing how reliability is becoming a problem that researchers are tackling at several levels.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Comfort and style aren’t oxymorons, and these pants prove it.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Expressing positive sentiment, such as appreciation, also proved more effective than neutral or negative tones.
    Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The department later confirmed that the area was secure and that no further threat to the public remained.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Also Tuesday, just after court was dismissed, Dawn Light, 56, of Sutton, Massachusetts, was arrested outside the courthouse in Plymouth, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts State Police confirmed.
    Blayne Alexander, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Its immediate goal is to establish pilot-scale production while continuing to develop partnerships across the fusion and advanced nuclear industries.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Once an account is established, parents, guardians, grandparents and others can also contribute up to $5,000 per year until the year before the beneficiary turns 18.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Series 4000 clears endurance tests The Series 4000 earned certification after completing two 720-hour durability tests, demonstrating its ability to operate through extended autonomous missions.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Organizations can identify employees whose demonstrated capabilities already align closely with the requirements of the new role, estimate the training needed to close remaining gaps and accelerate development plans with far greater confidence.
    Raghu Krishnaiah, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Validate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/validate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster