authenticate

American  

[aw-then-ti-keyt] / ɔˈθɛn tɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

authenticated, authenticating

1. to establish as genuine.

   Synonyms:

   substantiate, validate, confirm

2. to establish the authorship or origin of conclusively or unquestionably, chiefly by the techniques of scholarship.

   to authenticate a painting.

3. to make authoritative or valid.

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authenticate British  

/ ɔːˈθɛntɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to establish as genuine or valid

2. to give authority or legal validity to

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Other Word Forms

• authenticatable adjective
• authentication noun
• authenticator noun
• nonauthenticated adjective
• nonauthentication noun
• reauthenticate verb (used with object)
• self-authenticating adjective
• unauthenticated adjective
• well-authenticated adjective

Etymology

Origin of authenticate

First recorded in 1565–75; from Medieval Latin authenticātus “made authentic” (past participle of authenticāre ). See authentic, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

They authenticate the watches and service them to the brand’s standards.

From The Wall Street Journal

Passkeys authenticate your identity using a pair of mathematically related values, called keys, one residing with the website or app, the other in your password manager.

From The Wall Street Journal

The painting was authenticated by German art historian Nils Buttner, known for his research on the master of the Flemish Baroque, Osenat said.

From Barron's

All three balls were authenticated by SCP Auctions through notarized affidavits and lie detector tests.

From Los Angeles Times

Then I scan my fingerprint on a remote mounted next to my porcelain throne, which allows multiple people to authenticate their personal sessions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• attest
• corroborate
• substantiate
• validate
• verify