authenticate

verb

au·​then·​ti·​cate ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkāt How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
ȯ-
authenticated; authenticating
Synonyms of authenticatenext

transitive verb

: to prove or serve to prove to be real, true, or genuine
authenticate a document
authenticator
ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
ȯ-
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for authenticate

confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate mean to attest to the truth or validity of something.

confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

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

authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

Examples of authenticate in a Sentence

The signature has been authenticated. a jeweler authenticated the diamond as real
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The results showed what many observers might consider apparent: that 90% of travelers look for local brands and try to bring products home that in some way authenticate their trips and experiences. —Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 McClellan worked with a leading Chopin expert from the University of Pennsylvania to authenticate the score. —Hannah Peart, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024 To authenticate click here For a full list of participating Pay TV providers click here Game availability click here MLB.TV INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIBERS: Live games are available internationally on MLB.TV (excluding Canada). —Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 Some shows and live events require you to authenticate with your cable or video streaming service account. —PCMAG, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authenticate 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin authenticātus, past participle of authenticāre "to stamp as genuine or authoritative," derivative of Latin authenticus "original (of documents)" — more at authentic

Note: Compare as a secondary source Middle French autentiquer "to guarantee that something conforms to a norm."

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of authenticate was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near authenticate

authentic assessment

authenticate

authentication

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authenticate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

authenticate

verb
au·​then·​ti·​cate ə-ˈthent-i-ˌkāt How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
ȯ-
authenticated; authenticating
: to prove or serve to prove that something is authentic
authentication
-ˌthent-i-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

authenticate

transitive verb
au·​then·​ti·​cate
authenticated; authenticating
1
: to prove or serve to prove that (something) is genuine
especially : to prove that (an item of evidence) is genuine for the purpose of establishing admissibility
2
: to make (a written instrument) valid and effective by marking especially with one's signature
authenticate a check

More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

Nglish: Translation of authenticate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of authenticate for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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