Verify vs. Confirm — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Verify means to ensure the accuracy or truth of something, while Confirm means to establish the truth or correctness of something already believed or suspected.
Difference Between Verify and Confirm
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Verify involves checking or testing to ascertain the truth or accuracy of something. When someone seeks to Verify information, they are probing it, often because it is either new or its validity is in question. On the other hand, Confirm relates to reaffirming or substantiating information that is already provided or believed.
In many instances, to Verify is to go through a process of examination. For example, in scientific experiments, one might Verify a hypothesis. Confirm, however, often comes after Verification, once the accuracy of a piece of information has been established. Once results are Verified, they can then be Confirmed in subsequent tests or checks.
It's essential to understand that Verify generally precedes Confirm in a sequence of establishing truth. Initially, you Verify to ensure that a piece of information is correct, and then you Confirm to further reassure or to acknowledge its correctness. For instance, a bank might Verify your identity when you open an account and later Confirm your transactions to ensure they are legitimate.
While both Verify and Confirm deal with the concept of truth and accuracy, they emphasize different parts of the validation process. Verification leans more towards discovery and investigation, while Confirmation is about affirmation and acknowledgment. For instance, in journalism, a reporter might Verify a source's claim by looking into it, and then a second source might Confirm the information, lending it further credibility.
Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
Establishing the truth or accuracy for the first time.
Reaffirming or acknowledging the correctness of something known or believed.
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Sequence
Generally precedes Confirmation.
Usually follows Verification.
Application
Often involves investigation or examination.
Often about acknowledgment or reaffirmation.
Associated Terms
Verification
Confirmation
Example Usage
"We need to Verify these claims."
"Can you Confirm your attendance?"
Compare with Definitions
Verify
Verify means to ascertain the truth through investigation or examination.
We need to Verify the authenticity of this document.
Confirm
Confirm suggests verifying or corroborating something.
Witnesses were able to Confirm his statement.
Verify
Verify implies checking to establish the validity of a claim.
The detective could Verify his alibi for that night.
Confirm
Confirm means to establish the truth or correctness of something already believed.
She called to Confirm her reservation at the hotel.
Verify
Verify suggests substantiating or affirming the truth of something.
You must Verify your email address to proceed.
Confirm
Confirm implies giving approval or formal sanction.
The Senate will Confirm the nominee next week.
Verify
Verify can be about ensuring that something meets a particular standard.
The technician will Verify the software's compatibility.
Confirm
To support or establish the certainty or validity of; verify
Confirm a rumor.
Verify
Verify can mean to prove the accuracy of something.
She wanted to Verify her calculations before submitting them.
Confirm
To reaffirm the establishment of (a reservation or advance arrangement).
Verify
To demonstrate the truth or accuracy of, as by the presentation of evidence
Experiments that verified the hypothesis.
Confirm
To make firmer; strengthen
Working on the campaign confirmed her intention to go into politics.
Verify
To attest to the truth of (something) formally or under oath.
Confirm
To make valid or binding by a formal or legal act; ratify.
Verify
To make a formal verification in support of (a pleading).
Confirm
To administer the religious rite of confirmation to.
Verify
(transitive) To substantiate or prove the truth of something.
Confirm
To strengthen; to make firm or resolute.
Verify
(transitive) To confirm or test the truth or accuracy of something.
Confirm
To administer the sacrament of confirmation on (someone).
Verify
To affirm something formally, under oath.
Confirm
To assure the accuracy of previous statements.
Verify
To prove to be true or correct; to establish the truth of; to confirm; to substantiate.
This is verified by a number of examples.
So shalt thou best fulfill, best verify.The prophets old, who sung thy endless reign.
Confirm
To make firm or firmer; to add strength to; to establish; as, health is confirmed by exercise.
Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law.
Verify
To confirm or establish the authenticity of by examination or competent evidence; to authenticate; as, to verify a written statement; to verify an account, a pleading, or the like.
To verify our title with their lives.
Confirm
To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
Confirmed, then, I resolveAdam shall share with me in bliss or woe.
Verify
To maintain; to affirm; to support.
Confirm
To give new assurance of the truth of; to render certain; to verify; to corroborate; as, to confirm a rumor.
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale.
These likelihoods confirm her flight.
Verify
Confirm the truth of;
Please verify that the doors are closed
Verify a claim
Confirm
To render valid by formal assent; to complete by a necessary sanction; to ratify; as, to confirm the appoinment of an official; the Senate confirms a treaty.
That treaty so prejudicial ought to have been remitted rather than confimed.
Verify
Verify or regulate by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard, of scientific experiments;
Are you controlling for the temperature?
Confirm
To administer the rite of confirmation to. See Confirmation, 3.
Those which are thus confirmed are thereby supposed to be fit for admission to the sacrament.
Verify
Attach or append a legal verification to (a pleading or petition)
Confirm
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
His story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant
Verify
To declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true;
Before God I swear I am innocent
Confirm
Strengthen or make more firm;
The witnesses confirmed the victim's account
Confirm
Make more firm;
Confirm thy soul in self-control!
Confirm
As of a person to a position;
The Senate confirmed the President's candidate for Secretary of Defense
Confirm
Administer the rite of confirmation to;
The children were confirmed in their mother's faith
Confirm
Confirm can mean to strengthen a belief or feeling.
The test results Confirm our initial diagnosis.
Common Curiosities
What's the primary difference between Verify and Confirm?
Verify is about establishing truth or accuracy, while Confirm is about reaffirming something already believed or suspected.
If I want to acknowledge my attendance, do I Verify or Confirm it?
You would Confirm your attendance.
Which comes first in a sequence: Verification or Confirmation?
Typically, Verification precedes Confirmation.
Is Verification the same as Confirmation?
No, Verification is the act of ascertaining truth, while Confirmation is the act of reaffirming or acknowledging such truth.
If I want to check the authenticity of a document, do I Verify or Confirm it?
You would Verify its authenticity.
Does Verification involve investigation?
Yes, Verification often involves investigation or examination.
Can Verify relate to ensuring something meets a standard?
Yes, for example, one might Verify that a product meets quality standards.
Can Confirm come before Verify in the process of establishing truth?
Typically, Verify comes before Confirm; first, you establish the truth, then you reaffirm or acknowledge it.
Is it possible to Confirm something without Verifying it?
It is possible, but it might mean that the Confirmation is based on belief rather than thorough examination.
Can Confirm be used in the sense of approval?
Yes, Confirm can imply giving formal sanction or approval.
What is the act of reaffirming something's accuracy?
That act is referred to as Confirmation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
