What does "corroborate" mean?
To confirm or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch for.
Corroborate
/kəˈɹɑbəɹeɪ̯t/ adj, verb
adj, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To confirm or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch for.
- Grammar: corroborate is listed as adj, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: confirm, substantiate, validate, affirm.
- Useful contrasts: counter evidence, counterevidence, disagreeing.
- Usage evidence: Ray was willing to corroborate Gary's story, but the police were still unconvinced that either of them were telling the truth.
How to use "corroborate"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "corroborate" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "corroborate" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "corroborate" is acting as adj, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To confirm or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch for. transitive
"The concurrence of all […]corroborates the same truth."
- 2 establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts wordnet
- 3 To make strong; to strengthen. transitive
"As any limb well and duly exercised, grows stronger, the nerves of the body are corroborated thereby."
- 4 give evidence for wordnet
- 5 support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Corroborated. obsolete
"There is no Truſting to the Force of Nature, nor to the Brauery of Words; except it be Corroborate by Cuſtome."
- 2 Vigorous, grown strong. obsolete
"But how unjust this traducement is (if you will reduce things from popularity of opinion to measure of reason) may appear in that we see men are more curious what they put into a new vessel than into a vessel seasoned, and what mould they lay about a young plant than about a plant corroborate; […]"
Antonyms
Example
"Ray was willing to corroborate Gary's story, but the police were still unconvinced that either of them were telling the truth."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "corroborate"?
Common synonyms include: confirm, substantiate, validate, affirm, affirm, affirmer.
How do you use "corroborate" in a sentence?
Ray was willing to corroborate Gary's story, but the police were still unconvinced that either of them were telling the truth.
How do you pronounce "corroborate"?
Pronounced /kəˈɹɑbəɹeɪ̯t/.
Etymology
First attested in the 1530s; borrowed from Latin corrōborātus (“strengthened”), perfect passive participle of corrōborō (“to support, corroborate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from con- (“together”) + rōborō (“to strengthen”), from rōbur, rōboris (“strength”). Regular participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English, otherwise archaic.