When validate first entered the language in the mid-17th century, its meaning was tied fast to its close relative, the adjective valid: to validate something, such as a marriage or treaty, was to make it legally valid. This meaning is still current, but the word is now used in nonlegal and informal contexts. If the museum you visit validates your parking ticket, the museum official marks the ticket and you do not have to pay for parking. If someone's claims cannot be validated, those claims cannot be confirmed. And if a coach puts an untested player into the game and the player scores the winning point, the player's strong performance validates the coach's decision.
confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.
confirmed the reports
corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.
witnesses corroborated his story
substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.
the claims have yet to be substantiated
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
authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.
handwriting experts authenticated the diaries
validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.
validated the hypothesis by experiments
Example Sentences
The court validated the contract. A judge still needs to validate the election. Customs officers validated our passports. The decline in sales only validated our concerns.
Recent Examples on the WebInstead, listen and validate their emotions—without diminishing them. Rachel Reiff Ellis, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 Taylor says says contemporary church scandals validate what Buechner said about secrets. John Blake, CNN, 21 Aug. 2022 If Chrome doesn’t validate the input properly, an attacker can craft an input the browser doesn’t expect. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 18 Aug. 2022 Discover Financial Services has a third party validate the robustness of its cybersecurity program, which helps with insurance, said CISO Shaun Khalfan. Cheryl Winokur Munk, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 Experts said the killing of al-Zawahri doesn't validate Biden's pullout from Afghanistan. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 In Hudson, feedback from regulars helps validate Dunn’s hard work opening Buttercup during the pandemic. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 23 June 2022 In the meantime, NASA will also test the telescope's cooling systems and validate its testing/correction procedures to ensure that the primary mirror remains properly aligned. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 29 Apr. 2022 But this is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and having recognizable songs certainly helps validate any artist. Troy L. Smith, cleveland, 19 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin validātus, past participle of validāre "to make valid," derivative of Latin validus "in good health, having legal authority" — more at valid