english
1
general::
verb ADV. merely, only, simply This latest tragedy merely confirms my view that the law must be tightened. | officially The plans were officially confirmed yesterday. VERB + CONFIRM be able/unable to, can/could | appear to, seem to, tend to These new symptoms tend to confirm my original diagnosis.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
confirm
if a piece of new information confirms an idea or belief that people already have, it shows that it is definitely true:
• Police have found new evidence that confirms his story. • The discovery seems to confirm that people lived here over 10,000 years ago.
prove
to show that something is definitely true by providing facts:
• DNA tests proved that he was the father of the child. • I think we’ve proved that we are a good team.
back up
to provide additional information to help prove that a statement, belief, or explanation is correct:
• When you write a history essay, you should back up all your points with facts. • Wright was accused of pretending to be injured, and this was backed up by video evidence.
support
to help to prove that a belief, idea etc is probably true:
• Do you have any evidence to support these claims? • The notion that women are worse drivers than men is simply not supported by the facts.
bear something out
if facts or information bear out a claim or opinion, they suggest that something is likely to be true:
• Most of the available evidence bears out the view that students learn better in small classes. • Marriage is not always easy; a fact that is clearly borne out in divorce statistics.
corroborate
formal to provide additional information which supports or agrees with something – used in scientific and legal contexts:
• Levine claims that a third car was involved in the accident and witnesses have corroborated this. • Professor Carling’s findings have been corroborated by more recent research.
substantiate
formal to provide additional information that helps to prove that a statement is correct, especially if the statement is difficult to believe:
• A police investigation failed to substantiate the claim that he had been sexually abused.
validate
formal to prove that information or results are correct by using scientific tests or very careful checking – used in scientific or technical contexts:
• All the information used in this report has been validated by an independent panel of experts.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
verb
verify:
You must confirm your airline flight.
verb
ratify:
The Senate will confirm the appointment.
Simple Definitions