corroborate
Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
verb
adjective
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serving to corroborate a fact, an opinion, etc
-
(of a fact) corroborated
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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corroboratoryadjective
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uncorroboratoryadjective
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noncorroborativelyadverb
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corroboratornoun
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noncorroboratingadjective
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corroborationnoun
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noncorroborativeadjective
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corroborativeadjective
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uncorroborativeadjective
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corroborativelyadverb
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corroboratorilyadverb
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uncorroboratedadjective
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noncorroboratoryadjective
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uncorroborativelyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have corroboratedperfect
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has corroboratedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been corroboratingperfect progressive
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corroboratingparticiple
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corroboratessingular 3rd person
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are corroboratingprogressive
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am corroboratingprogressive 1st person singular
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is corroboratingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been corroboratingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had corroboratedperfect
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had been corroboratingperfect progressive
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corroboratedparticiple
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were corroboratingprogressive plural
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was corroboratingprogressive singular
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corroboratedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of corroborate
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin corrōborātus, past participle of corrōborāre “to strengthen,” equivalent to cor- “with, together” + rōbor(āre) “to make strong” (derivative of rōbor, rōbur “oak” hence, “strength”) + -ātus past participle suffix; see cor-, robust, -ate 1
Compare meaning
How does corroborate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
To corroborate is to back someone else’s story. If you swear to your teacher that you didn't throw the spitball, and your friends corroborate your story by promising that you were concentrating on math homework, she might actually believe you. For example, a witness in court corroborates the testimony of others, and further experimentation can corroborate a scientific theory. Near synonyms are substantiate and confirm. Corroborate, originally meaning "to support or strengthen," was borrowed from Latin corrōborāre, formed from the prefix cor- "completely" plus rōborāre "to strengthen" (from rōbur "strength").
Vocabulary lists containing corroborate
The Crucible
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Grade 10, List 3
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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Recent layoffs at Epic Games, the maker of “Fortnite,” corroborate Gallagher’s concerns.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
We have not been to fully verify each account but where possible, we have sought to corroborate stories through photos, location data and online records.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
Breadth indicators corroborate “this extreme oversold condition, supporting a bullish medium-to-long-term outlook for both the sector and the broader market.”
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan typically require cooperating witnesses to plead guilty to all the charges against them, corroborate the government’s allegations and admit to any other crimes they committed during their lifetime.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
Agents would develop one, then simply drop it, or fail to corroborate it or to conclusively disprove it.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
