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 At Vermillio, Grace oversaw content owners and talent being able to track, authenticate, and be compensated for the use of their work in AI models. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 How does law enforcement authenticate it? —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026 Origin diamonds are sourced by De Beers from its mines in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Canada, and authenticated via Tracr’s blockchain platform. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026 The defense lawyers say her birth certificate can’t be authenticated because it was issued by a former Soviet republic that is now in a war zone. —Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026 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
  • Democrat Joe Biden won Georgia by about 11,800 votes in an election overseen by a Republican secretary of state and certified by a Republican governor.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • That meant bills were not paid, the levy was not certified, and the audit was not accepted.
    — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of certify
Verb
  • The filing argues that custody is a nonwaivable jurisdictional requirement and that remote court proceedings would raise insurmountable problems, including the inability to verify identities, enforce perjury laws, or protect classified information.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Some accusations couldn't be verified, investigators wrote.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of verify
Verb
  • Whether Republicans and Democrats would be willing to pass another short-term DHS funding extension to buy time for a compromise isn't guaranteed, either.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Dalton is guaranteed $2 million in 2026, but Morgan has openly discussed his desire to add a younger, developmental quarterback to the mix behind Young.
    — Mike Kaye February 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of guarantee
Verb
  • Fulton County has also confirmed that some ballots were scanned multiple times during the recount, the affidavit says.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Law enforcement has yet to confirm any activity in the Bitcoin account, and USA TODAY has reached out to the FBI for comment.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • In response to the congressional request, Coupang affirmed its compliance.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
  • These bills have targeted gender-affirming care, bathroom access and trans people’s participation in sports.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of affirm
Verb
  • However, in December, the company issued a statement about Oklahoma homeowners claims that attested to close coordination with the insurance department.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • There’s the Catholic guilt which other Catholics can attest is long-suffering and never-ending.
    — Angela Hatem, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of attest

Browse Nearby Words

authentically
authenticate
authenticated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authenticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authenticate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

Nglish: Translation of authenticate for Spanish Speakers

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