substantiate

verb

sub·​stan·​ti·​ate səb-ˈstan(t)-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce substantiate (audio)
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 noun
substantiative adjective
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The reports are completely unverified upon submission, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff follow up on serious reports to try to substantiate claims and assess if they were actually caused by a vaccine. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 One allegation of unwanted physical contact was also substantiated. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 One incident of unwelcome physical contact was substantiated, the report found. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 Besaw had claimed charitable deductions but failed to produce adequate evidence to substantiate them. Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for substantiate

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of substantiate was in 1610

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Cite this Entry

“Substantiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substantiate. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

substantiate

verb
sub·​stan·​ti·​ate səb-ˈstan-chē-ˌāt How to pronounce substantiate (audio)
substantiated; substantiating
1
: to give substance or form to : embody
2
: to establish by proof or evidence
substantiate a claim
substantiation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on substantiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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