corroborate

verb

kə-ˈrä-bə-ˌrāt How to pronounce corroborate (audio)
Definition of corroboratenext
1
as in to confirm
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of the witnesses corroborated the policeman's testimony

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reinforce
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) my personal experience does not corroborate your faith in the essential goodness of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb corroborate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of corroborate are authenticate, confirm, substantiate, validate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

When is it sensible to use authenticate instead of corroborate?

Although the words authenticate and corroborate have much in common, authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

Where would confirm be a reasonable alternative to corroborate?

The synonyms confirm and corroborate are sometimes interchangeable, but confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

When is substantiate a more appropriate choice than corroborate?

The meanings of substantiate and corroborate largely overlap; however, substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

In what contexts can validate take the place of corroborate?

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

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When could verify be used to replace corroborate?

In some situations, the words verify and corroborate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 corroborate Additionally, Mark says the investigation has found another source that potentially corroborates the story that Bradley had a child. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026 The leak caught on camera Researchers discovered a visible plume of radioactive material escaping from a ventilation pipe near the reactor compartment, corroborated by elevated radionuclide levels in water samples and plutonium isotope ratios. —Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026 NeJame said his client, who is 5 feet 2 inches tall and 110 pounds, has witnesses to corroborate his version of the events. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026 An analysis of his phone allegedly found 66 videos with at least 65 additional unidentified victims, and metadata and surveillance video corroborated that the recordings took place in the same restroom over a period of weeks. —Robert A. Cronkleton march 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for corroborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corroborate
  1. confirm
  2. reinforce
  3. verify
  4. bolster
  5. argue
  6. prove
Verb
  • Licata officially appointed as FWISD’s acting superintendent The Board of Managers unanimously voted to confirm Licata as the school district’s superintendent.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Perry's representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the workers were eventually allowed to hold onto the gift cards after confusion was cleared up.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • Ezra's parents say that the moment is one that will be memorable for some time to come, further reinforcing his dreams of one day joining the law enforcement community.
    — Lesley Marin, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Authorities reinforced security around Jewish sites in the wake of explosions last month outside synagogues in Liege, Belgium, and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam and outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of reinforce
Verb
  • An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Earlier Monday, the CBS News Confirmed team verified images from the attack that left 10 service members wounded last week.
    — Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of verify
Verb
  • From confirmation to downfall During her confirmation hearings, Bondi promised to safeguard the Justice Department’s independence and bolster its transparency.
    — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In a cash crunch, streaming subscriptions also tend to be casualties, which only bolsters the value of over-the-air TV when Americans are keeping a tight grip on their checkbooks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of bolster
Verb
  • Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The reversal comes after Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project launched legal challenges last week, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • Your generous heart shines brighter when your schedule reflects your soul rather than proving yourself at any cost.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
  • As so many of his peers have run from that reality, Self is embracing the challenge, with precisely nothing left to prove.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of prove

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Corroborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corroborate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on corroborate

Nglish: Translation of corroborate for Spanish Speakers

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