substantiate

verb

sub·​stan·​ti·​ate səb-ˈstan(t)-shē-ˌāt 

substantiated; substantiating

transitive verb

1

: to give substance or form to : embody

2

: to establish by proof or competent evidence : verify

substantiate a charge

substantiation

səb-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈā-shən 

noun

substantiative

səb-ˈstan(t)-shē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of substantiate

• prove
• establish
• demonstrate

Choose the Right Synonym for substantiate

confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate mean to attest to the truth or validity of something.

confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

verify implies the establishing of correspondence of actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed at.

all statements of fact in the article have been verified

authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

Examples of substantiate in a Sentence

substantiated his claim to local mountaineering fame with a photo of himself on the summit of Mount McKinley

Mr. MacGregor couldn't substantiate that it was Peter, and not some other rabbit, in the cabbage patch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another provision in the bill would require states to investigate significant complaints against facilities within two days and, if they are substantiated, conduct larger examinations of the facilities and any others in a state that share ownership within 30 days. —Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025

The strategist added that strong volume occurring alongside higher prices would substantiate the uptrend in stocks. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025

Investigators ultimately found no evidence to substantiate Kimberly's claims, however, and Falor was arraigned on a drug charge and released from jail once Cortney and Bradly were charged with Rebecca's murder. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Furthermore, no evidence was provided to substantiate the full life cycle impact—even for that 64 percent portion. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for substantiate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

substantiate

verb

sub·​stan·​ti·​ate səb-ˈstan-chē-ˌāt 

substantiated; substantiating

1

: to give substance or form to : embody

2

: to establish by proof or evidence

substantiate a claim

substantiation

-ˌstan-chē-ˈā-shən 

noun