Definition

1. Verb:
   • To support or confirm a statement, theory, or finding by providing evidence or authority. It means to make something more certain or believable by adding new proof or facts.
   • To strengthen or establish a claim or idea with additional information.

Usage

The verb "corroborate" is used when presenting new information that aligns with and supports existing information, thereby increasing its credibility. It is a formal term common in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts. It is typically followed by a direct object (the thing being confirmed). - You corroborate a story, a theory, a statement, an alibi, or evidence. - The subject is usually the person or piece of evidence that provides the supporting proof.

Examples

• The new witness testimony corroborated the victim's account of the event.
• Several independent studies have corroborated the initial research findings.
• The physical evidence found at the scene corroborates the detective's hypothesis.
• I need a second source to corroborate this information before I can publish the article.

Advanced Usage

• "to corroborate someone": This is used less frequently. It means to provide evidence that supports what a specific person has said.
  • The documents corroborated the whistleblower, leading to a formal investigation.
• Passive Voice: Often used to describe the state of being supported by evidence.
  • His alibi was corroborated by security camera footage.

Variants and Related Words

• Corroboration (noun): Evidence which confirms or supports a statement, theory, or finding.
  • The report lacked corroboration from other sources.
• Corroborative (adjective): Serving to corroborate something.
  • The detective presented corroborative details from the forensic report.
• Corroborator (noun): A person or thing that corroborates.
  • The key witness was the main corroborator for the prosecution's case.

Synonyms

• Confirm: To establish the truth or correctness of something.
• Substantiate: To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
• Verify: To make sure or demonstrate that something is true, accurate, or justified.
• Validate: To check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.
• Support: To give assistance or backing to; to provide evidence for.
• Bear out: To confirm or support (a phrasal verb with similar meaning).

Antonyms

• Contradict: To be in conflict with; to assert the opposite of a statement.
• Refute: To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false.
• Disprove: To show that something is false.
• Undermine: To lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of something, especially gradually or insidiously.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To lend credence to": This phrase is similar in meaning to "corroborate," meaning to make something seem more believable.
  • The signed confession lent credence to the allegations.
• "To back up": A more informal phrasal verb meaning to support or confirm.
  • Can you back up your claim with any data?

Verb

1. support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
   • The stories and claims were born out by the evidence
2. give evidence for
3. establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
   • his story confirmed my doubts
   • The evidence supports the defendant