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 of authenticate

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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.
Mango last year announced a partnership with traceability platform TextileGenesis to digitize and authenticate its global supply chain. —Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 Meanwhile, investigators are trying to authenticate a document posted online that purportedly details the motivations of the gunmen. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 20 May 2026 The Times could not authenticate that Clark was the creator, but the images, dates and content aligned with the manifesto as well as his personal life. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 In addition, the company is introducing Verified by Spotify badges for podcast shows to help authenticate creator identity and likeness. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 May 2026 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
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Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authenticate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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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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