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

• demonstrate
• establish
• prove
• show

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

In an overwhelming majority of investigations, no abuse or neglect is substantiated. —Kristin Jones, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024

An investigation substantiated most of his allegations at the time, documents show. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024

This was substantiated by the twins changing the profile photo on their Facebook page to what appears to be a wedding shot of themselves and Josh. —Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

This was substantiated, for example, in California, where the average percentage of competitive districts went from 5.6% in the decade preceding the 2010 introduction of an independent commission to 14.6% since then. —TIME, 1 Apr. 2024

In addition to the 2019 sighting, a handful of other encounters have been reported throughout the island in recent years, though they have not been substantiated, researchers said. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024

The city did not substantiate her allegations against the other firefighter, the lawsuit says. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024

An investigation substantiated most of his allegations, documents show, finding that his then-supervisor (who was not Brody) made a disparaging comment about Latinos. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

The New York Times has reviewed documentation substantiating her account. —Paula Span, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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