Corroborate: meaning, definitions and examples

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corroborate

 

[ kəˈrɒbəreɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a legal or formal context

Confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).

Synonyms

authenticate, confirm, substantiate, validate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
corroborate

This word is typically used in formal or academic settings to indicate that evidence or other information supports a statement or theory.

  • The witness corroborated the defendant’s alibi.
  • Research findings that corroborate earlier studies are more convincing.
confirm

This is a general term used in various contexts to assert the truth or accuracy of something, suitable for both formal and informal use.

  • Can you confirm the reservation?
  • The results of the test confirmed the doctor’s diagnosis.
validate

Typically used when confirming that something meets certain standards or criteria, often in technical, scientific, or procedural contexts.

  • The software needs to be validated before it goes live.
  • We need to validate these results through further testing.
substantiate

Primarily used in formal contexts, substantiate emphasizes providing solid evidence or proof to support a claim or argument.

  • The lawyer was able to substantiate his case with new evidence.
  • We need to substantiate these claims before proceeding.
authenticate

Use this term when verifying the authenticity or genuineness of something, often in the context of art, documents, or digital data.

  • Experts were called in to authenticate the painting.
  • The system uses fingerprint recognition to authenticate users.

Examples of usage

  • The witness was able to corroborate the suspect's alibi.
  • The evidence presented in court corroborated the prosecution's case.
Context #2 | Verb

in a personal or informal context

To confirm or make more certain.

Synonyms

authenticate, confirm, validate, verify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
corroborate

Typically used when you want to provide additional evidence or support for a statement or theory. Often used in legal or scientific contexts.

  • The new research data will help to corroborate our theory.
  • Witnesses were called to corroborate her story.
verify

Often used in contexts where checking or proving the accuracy or truth of something is needed. It is common in both everyday and technical settings.

  • Please verify your email address by clicking on the link.
  • The accountant needs to verify the financial records.
confirm

Commonly used in everyday situations to reinforce the truth or certainty of an event, statement, or appointment. It is less formal and more versatile.

  • Please confirm your attendance at the meeting tomorrow.
  • The laboratory tests confirmed the doctor's diagnosis.
authenticate

Used when establishing the genuine or bona fide nature of something, often with documents, artifacts, or identities.

  • The museum hired experts to authenticate the ancient artifacts.
  • You will need to authenticate your identity with a government-issued ID.
validate

Used to confirm the legitimacy, accuracy, or appropriateness of something, often in formal, technical, or bureaucratic contexts.

  • We need to validate the data before we can proceed with the analysis.
  • The software will prompt you to validate your credentials.

Examples of usage

  • I called Jane to corroborate the meeting time.
  • Can you corroborate that he will be attending the party?

Translations

Translations of the word "corroborate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 corroborar

🇮🇳 पुष्टि करना

🇩🇪 bestätigen

🇮🇩 menguatkan

🇺🇦 підтверджувати

🇵🇱 potwierdzać

🇯🇵 確証する (かくしょうする)

🇫🇷 corroborer

🇪🇸 corroborar

🇹🇷 doğrulamak

🇰🇷 확증하다

🇸🇦 يؤكد

🇨🇿 potvrdit

🇸🇰 potvrdiť

🇨🇳 证实 (zhèngshí)

🇸🇮 potrditi

🇮🇸 staðfesta

🇰🇿 растау

🇬🇪 დადასტურება

🇦🇿 təsdiqləmək

🇲🇽 corroborar

Etymology

The word 'corroborate' comes from the Latin word 'corroboratus', which means 'strengthened'. The term was first used in the 16th century and has been commonly used in legal and formal contexts to indicate confirmation or support of a statement or finding.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,622, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.