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

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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 guitar’s serial number is not known, but there is a unique tell that will allow it to be authenticated, according to Agnesi; the inlay on its 12th fret is solid, not split like the others on the neck, which was standard for the ES-345 at the time. —Gary Graff, Billboard, 3 June 2025 Speed, Convenience and Efficiency: The ability to get immediate support without having to call a company, wait on hold, be authenticated, etc., is enough to get customers using AI. —Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 This authenticates the yarn from fiber to fabric, all the way through to the finished product. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025 The 2015 ball was authenticated right after that called third strike. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2025 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

Rhymes for authenticate

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Browse Nearby Words

authentic assessment
authenticate
authentication
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authenticate. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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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

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