fact-check

American

[fakt-chek] / ˈfæktˌtʃɛk /

verb (used with object)

to confirm the truth of (an assertion made in speech or writing), often as part of the research or editorial process.

noun

the action of confirming the truth of an assertion made in speech or writing.

A fact-check of the senator’s speech revealed several misleading comments about his opponent.

Other Word Forms

fact-checker noun
fact-checking noun

Etymology

Origin of fact-check

First recorded in 1960–65

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.

The fact-checking team for AFP in Mexico analyzed a dozen of the fake images and videos linked to the operation and its fallout that were shared over 38,500 times on social media.

From Barron's

“It is not for me to fact-check for the county,” she told Judge Lawrence Riff at a court hearing Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Each fact is backed by thorough fact-checking and new archival searches.

From Los Angeles Times

She also attempted to fact-check the allegations that DHS made about the civilians and their arrests.

From Salon

While not immune to misinformation and scams, LinkedIn lured people leaving X and Facebook as content moderation and fact-checking there declined.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023