validate

American  

[val-i-deyt] / ˈvæl ɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

validated, validating

1. to make valid; substantiate; confirm.

   Time validated our suspicions.

   Synonyms:

   prove, verify, authenticate

   Antonyms:

   disprove

2. to give legal force to; legalize.

3. to give official sanction, confirmation, or approval to, as elected officials, election procedures, documents, etc..

   to validate a passport.

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validate British  

/ ˈvælɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to confirm or corroborate

2. to give legal force or official confirmation to; declare legally valid

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Other Word Forms

• revalidate verb (used with object)
• unvalidated adjective
• unvalidating adjective
• validation noun
• validator noun
• validatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of validate

First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin validātus (past participle of validāre “to make valid”), equivalent to valid- ( valid ) + -ātus past participle suffix ( -ate ¹ )

Example Sentences

Buying at a discount could force a write-down of the existing book, while buying near par validates it.

From The Wall Street Journal

This demographic stands at the forefront of the broader shift toward therapeutic language, in which emotional experience is elevated, validated and often treated as a kind of truth in itself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Participants in the rallies accomplish nothing practical but feel heard, validated and affirmed.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you're a parent, you may have felt somewhat validated by the US court ruling that Meta and Google intentionally built addictive social media platforms that harmed the mental health of a young woman.

From BBC

After 2040, the Chinese lunar base will be used to "validate technology and capabilities for a manned mission to Mars", according to the CNSA.

From Barron's

Related Words

• approve
• certify
• confirm
• corroborate
• endorse
• justify
• legalize
• legitimize
• ratify
• substantiate
• verify