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

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

BBC Verify has authenticated footage filmed at the nearby University of El-Fasher's Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences: it shows bodies lying on the floor and an RSF fighter shooting one of the men still alive.

From BBC

As criminals increasingly use generative AI to mimic real people’s voices and con their loved ones, it has become critical to authenticate the voice on the other end of the line.

From The Wall Street Journal

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