authenticate

verb

ə-ˈthen-ti-ˌkāt How to pronounce authenticate (audio)
Definition of authenticatenext
1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine a jeweler authenticated the diamond as real

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to verify
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of we require more than simply your word to authenticate this story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb authenticate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of authenticate are confirm, corroborate, substantiate, validate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

When might confirm be a better fit than authenticate?

While the synonyms confirm and authenticate 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 authenticate?

The words corroborate and authenticate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

In what contexts can substantiate take the place of authenticate?

The words substantiate and authenticate can be used in similar contexts, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

When is it sensible to use validate instead of authenticate?

While in some cases nearly identical to authenticate, validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When can verify be used instead of authenticate?

Although the words verify and authenticate have much in common, 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 authenticate The database also gave anyone who came across it full database control and potential privilege escalation capabilities without needing to authenticate a user's identity and whether they were allowed to see this database. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025 The researchers demonstrate how an unprivileged remote attacker can then recover secrets stored in Gmail, Amazon, and Reddit when the target is authenticated. —Ars Technica, 28 Jan. 2025 Items have not been officially appraised, certified or authenticated unless indicated otherwise. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 Ensure that devices and users are correctly identified and authenticated. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for authenticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authenticate
  1. certify
  2. verify
  3. guarantee
  4. confirm
  5. affirm
  6. attest
Verb
  • All teachers working in adult education are certified Connecticut teachers who hold additional adult education certifications.
    — Larry Covino, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Key features: Solar safe filter technology protects eyes from IR, UV, and 99.99% of visible light, CE and ISO certified, model number ‏MK7062.
    — Paul Brett, Space.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of certify
Verb
  • The new requirements will impact anyone who needs to verify their bank information with the agency, as well as families with children who receive Social Security benefits and cannot verify a child's information on the SSA website.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Continue to fulfill your obligations and verify that those actions are properly recorded.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of verify
Verb
  • However, the study found that these content licensing deals did not guarantee accurate citation in chatbot responses.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Visitors use high-powered telescopes, but like most wolf watching packages in the wild, sightings are not guaranteed.
    — Katie Jackson, Outside Online, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of guarantee
Verb
  • Three days later, his immigration attorney was able to reach an ICE official who confirmed that his client was in a prison in another country.
    — Brian Bennett, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Transit officials confirmed Thursday what multiple sources told The News — that the current acting leaders in subways and paratransit (Access-A-Ride) will be made permanent: Bill Amarosa in the Department of Subways and Rachel Cohen in Paratransit.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • Subsequent studies appeared to affirm the correlation, strengthening the belief among the general public about the benefits of red wine.
    — Dylan Scott, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The Dalai Lama, in turn, affirms the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama after the officeholder dies.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of affirm
Verb
  • Many Geminis can attest to these concerns because the mutable sign takes on the energy of everyone around them.
    — Lisa Stardust, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Before a warrant is issued, an officer must attest that the request for it is not based on information from informants who have provided false information that has led to negative raids in the past, the bill states.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of attest

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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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