validate

/ˌvæləˈdeɪt/

/ˈvælɪdeɪt/

Other forms: validated; validating; validates

To validate is to prove that something is based on truth or fact, or is acceptable. It can also mean to make something, like a contract, legal.

You may need someone to validate your feelings, which means that you want to hear, “No, you’re not crazy. It’s acceptable to be angry about that.” Or you may need someone to validate your parking ticket — which means you have to prove that you bought something, so you can get parking for free. Whatever it is you are seeking to validate needs the added support or action from someone else to make it valid.

Definitions of validate

1. verb

   make valid or confirm the validity of
   “validate a ticket”

   antonyms:

   invalidate

   take away the legal force of or render ineffective

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
2. verb

   prove valid; show or confirm the validity of something
   antonyms:

   invalidate

   show to be invalid

   type of:

   affirm, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, support, sustain

   establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
3. verb

   give evidence for
   synonyms: corroborate

   types:

   circumstantiate

   give circumstantial evidence for

   type of:

   confirm, reassert

   strengthen or make more firm
4. verb

   declare or make legally valid
   synonyms: formalise, formalize

   antonyms:

   invalidate

   declare invalid

   types:

   ratify, sign

   approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation

   co-sign, cosign

   sign jointly

   probate

   establish the legal validity of (wills and other documents)

   type of:

   authorise, authorize, clear, pass

   grant authorization or clearance for