corroborate

/kə'rɔbəreit/
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corroborate

The witness's testimony will corroborate the defendant's alibi.

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?
corroborate

The witness's testimony will corroborate the defendant's alibi.

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