corroborate

[kuh-rob-uh-reyt, kuh-rob-er-it]

verb (used with object)

corroborated, corroborating 

1. to make more certain; confirm.

   He corroborated my account of the accident.

   Synonyms: validate, support, authenticate, verify

adjective

1. Archaic.,  confirmed.

corroborate

/ kəˈrɒbərətɪv /

verb

1. (tr) to confirm or support (facts, opinions, etc), esp by providing fresh evidence

   the witness corroborated the accused's statement

adjective

1. serving to corroborate a fact, an opinion, etc

2. (of a fact) corroborated

Other Word Forms

• corroboratively adverb
• corroborative adjective
• corroboration noun
• corroborator noun
• corroboratory adjective
• corroboratorily adverb
• noncorroborating adjective
• noncorroborative adjective
• noncorroboratively adverb
• noncorroboratory adjective
• uncorroborated adjective
• uncorroborative adjective
• uncorroboratively adverb
• uncorroboratory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of corroborate¹

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; cor-, robust, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of corroborate¹

C16: from Latin corrōborāre to invigorate, from rōborāre to make strong, from rōbur strength, literally: oak

Example Sentences

They say Mas'ud's version of events is implausible and untrue, and argue that the contents of the statement can be corroborated by reliable independent evidence gathered over many years.

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Other headhunters who scout for Indian talent from US universities corroborate this change in sentiment.

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Over the next seven months, covert recording allowed the BBC to gather clear evidence corroborating what whistleblowers had described.

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At the time, the Chronicle spoke with 29 current and former employees who corroborated client claims that pets weren’t properly fed or medicated, or were returned to their owners covered in urine and feces.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Hepburn has now given an interview where he has not denied key aspects of my account and has indeed corroborated crucial facts.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• authenticate 
• confirm 
• justify 
• substantiate 
• validate 
• verify