Definition of validatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb validate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of validate are authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, and verify. While all these words mean "to attest to the truth or validity of something," validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

When might authenticate be a better fit than validate?

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

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

In what contexts can confirm take the place of validate?

While the synonyms confirm and validate are close in meaning, confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

When would corroborate be a good substitute for validate?

While in some cases nearly identical to validate, corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

Where would substantiate be a reasonable alternative to validate?

The synonyms substantiate and validate are sometimes interchangeable, but substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

When is verify a more appropriate choice than validate?

The meanings of verify and validate largely overlap; 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 validate The podcast has earned multiple international awards, including Best New Podcast in 2025, and serves as a public forum for innovators to market their ideas, compete for funding, raise awareness, and validate concepts through narrative. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Robust biogenic indicators must be predicted, measured, and observationally validated. Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026 The credential validates skills in securing AI models, defending against adversarial machine learning, and governing AI systems in compliance with evolving regulations. Kevin J. Conlan, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026 By writing an essay-length rebuttal rather than simply dismissing the ad with a compliment, Altman inadvertently validated Anthropic as a serious threat. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for validate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for validate
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
Verb
  • But beyond that, unity has proved elusive.
    JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Mike Brown has his chance to prove Dolan and Rose right, and at least take the Knicks one round further than Thibodeau did, when his team never recovered from that crazy shot Tyrese Haliburton made in Game 1 of the conference finals.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
  • Palestinian citizens of Israel are descendants of those who were not expelled or forced to flee their homes when Israel was established in 1948.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Phytoplankton establishes on the branches, which attracts zooplankton and insects.
    Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Set the tone through personal conduct, demonstrating patience, respect, and restraint.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Laid-off reporter Barry Svrluga broke an exclusive about Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother’s cancer diagnosis, demonstrating the value of experienced sports journalism.
    Andrew Dampf, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on validate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!