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Corroborate: meaning, definitions and examples

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corroborate

 

[kəˈrɒbəreɪt ]

Definitions

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?

arrow down
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?

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Originates from the Latin word 'corroborare', meaning 'to strengthen'.
  • The prefix 'co-' implies togetherness, while 'roborare' relates to strength, highlighting the idea of strengthening evidence.
  • First recorded use in English dates back to the 15th century.

Legal Context

  • In law, to corroborate evidence means to provide additional proof that confirms a claim or testimony.
  • Judges often seek corroborated evidence to ensure that the information presented is reliable and truthful.
  • Witness testimonies are frequently corroborated by physical evidence or other witness accounts.

Scientific Research

  • In research, corroboration is essential for validating findings across different studies.
  • Peer review processes often focus on whether claims can be corroborated by independent researchers.
  • Corroborated data enhances the credibility of scientific work, making it more likely to be accepted in the academic community.

Pop Culture

  • In detective movies, characters often work to corroborate their theories with various clues to solve the mystery.
  • TV shows like crime dramas emphasize corroboration between forensic evidence and witness statements.
  • The phrase 'show me the proof' often refers to the need for corroboration in both personal and professional contexts.

Psychology

  • Corroboration in psychology can help validate patients' experiences, making therapy more effective.
  • Confirmatory bias occurs when individuals only seek out or remember information that corroborates their existing beliefs.
  • Encouraging clients to find corroborating evidence for positive thoughts can aid in cognitive therapy.

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

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.