corroborate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
  2. verb give evidence for
  3. verb support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

confirm, sustain, substantiate, support, affirm

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