corroborate
Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
verb
adjective
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serving to corroborate a fact, an opinion, etc
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(of a fact) corroborated
Other Word Forms
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corroborationnoun
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corroborativeadjective
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corroborativelyadverb
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corroboratornoun
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corroboratorilyadverb
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corroboratoryadjective
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noncorroboratingadjective
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noncorroborativeadjective
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noncorroborativelyadverb
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noncorroboratoryadjective
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uncorroboratedadjective
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uncorroborativeadjective
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uncorroborativelyadverb
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uncorroboratoryadjective
Etymology
Origin of corroborate
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin corrōborātus, past participle of corrōborāre “to strengthen,” equivalent to cor- “with, together” + rōbor(āre) “to make strong” (derivative of rōbor, rōbur “oak” hence, “strength”) + -ātus past participle suffix; see cor-, robust, -ate 1
Compare meaning
How does corroborate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
To corroborate is to back someone else’s story. If you swear to your teacher that you didn't throw the spitball, and your friends corroborate your story by promising that you were concentrating on math homework, she might actually believe you. For example, a witness in court corroborates the testimony of others, and further experimentation can corroborate a scientific theory. Near synonyms are substantiate and confirm. Corroborate, originally meaning "to support or strengthen," was borrowed from Latin corrōborāre, formed from the prefix cor- "completely" plus rōborāre "to strengthen" (from rōbur "strength").
Vocabulary lists containing corroborate
The Crucible
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Grade 10, List 3
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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It can take hours, he added, to fully corroborate information based on eyewitness accounts and confirm details.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
The BBC has seen an email exchange in which she appears to corroborate his story, but has been unable to verify its authenticity.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
Breadth indicators corroborate this oversold condition, supporting a bullish medium-to-long-term outlook.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
While there are ways to further corroborate one’s identity, some experts warn the bureaucratic burden may turn people off registering altogether due to complications — preventing citizens from being able to cast a ballot.
From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026
Knowing that Cluny was smarter than either of them, she wished she didn’t have this big dumb rat to corroborate the story.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
