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 Athletic has authenticated that this is the same man. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Once the flagship platform launches, there will be two ways to authenticate to access ESPN’s full offerings. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025 Behavioral Biometrics For Enhanced Trust The next frontier in identity management lies in behavioral biometrics, which analyze patterns like typing speed, mouse movements and voice to authenticate users. —Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 By this logic, the writer becomes a navigator exploring truth through lies, the real through the imaginary and vice versa, to reach the truth through lies, and this truth, if attained, must again be subjected to the test of lies or the imaginary to authenticate its truth or reality. —Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, The Dial, 4 Mar. 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
  • X-ray techs usually have an associate degree in radiologic technology, pass a licensing test, and get certified through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Newsweek reached out to veterinary professional and certified animal behaviorist Michelle Bernstein to find out if cats can fall in love.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of certify
Verb
  • But now, the SSA is changing that policy, which a White House official told CBS MoneyWatch is due to the rollout of anti-fraud software that will be able to identify anomalies and flag potential fraud when people verify their identities over the phones.
    — Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This breach may have been linked to an insider job during layoffs at X, although the company has not verified this claim.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of verify
Verb
  • The game is almost guaranteed to be over when Emmanuel Clase comes in, but the All-Star closer did not have his best stuff.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike the drama and comedy series races, which are guaranteed eight nominees regardless of submission count, the limited series category uses a proportional system.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of guarantee
Verb
  • Production on new episodes began in January, with Elordi, Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney among the other cast members confirmed to return.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • He was pronounced dead by a physician at 6:05 p.m., the South Carolina Department of Corrections confirmed to CBS News.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • After affirming his commitment to cooperating with the investigation, protecting Jewish students and protecting free speech, Wood referenced the protest.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
  • At the same time with all of this, box office sources, not just Disney, affirm that Snow White played evenly across the country.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of affirm
Verb
  • As as Oklahoma and USC, which suffered the devastating break in JuJu Watkins’ knee injury, can attest, an opponent can only pick its poison against UConn now.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Our staff can attest that Dyson’s cordless vacuums of all types are high-quality, super efficient, and—not to be dramatic—life-changing.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 27 Mar. 2025
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 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on authenticate

Nglish: Translation of authenticate for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All