as in supporting
serving to give support to the truth or factualness of something
without some substantiating evidence, such as a stub from a bus ticket, who's going to believe your alibi?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in proving
to gain full recognition or acceptance of
substantiated his claim to local mountaineering fame with a photo of himself on the summit of Mount McKinley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in verifying
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of
Mr. MacGregor couldn't substantiate that it was Peter, and not some other rabbit, in the cabbage patch
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in embodying
to represent in visible form
the artist's intense feelings are substantiated by his paintings' bold colors and broad brush strokes
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4
as in establishing
to show the existence or truth of by evidence
substantiate the need for a tuition increase with some concrete figures
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5
as in reinforcing
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea)
Darwin spent the rest of his life gathering evidence to substantiate his theory of the origin of species
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantiating
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Trump, without substantiating, claimed that the FBI actually ushered rioters inside the Capitol and that the individuals only pleaded guilty out of fear of getting harsher sentences.
—
Chad De Guzman,
Time,
8 June 2026
The minimum proof would be a letter from a physician explaining the condition and substantiating the claim.
—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Because pain is so subjective—and because of the difficulty in substantiating conditions such as whiplash and soft-tissue damage—surgery had the benefit not just of running up the clinical expense of an accident but also of seeming to ratify its legitimacy.
—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Federal officials have declined to provide critical details substantiating their claim that an agent shot ICU nurse Alex Pretti in self-defense.
—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
The lawsuit claims that, in letters sent in April, the school district reported investigating the incidents and substantiating the events.
—
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Trump, without substantiating, claimed that the FBI actually ushered rioters inside the Capitol and that the individuals only pleaded guilty out of fear of getting harsher sentences.
—
Chad De Guzman,
Time,
8 June 2026
The minimum proof would be a letter from a physician explaining the condition and substantiating the claim.
—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Because pain is so subjective—and because of the difficulty in substantiating conditions such as whiplash and soft-tissue damage—surgery had the benefit not just of running up the clinical expense of an accident but also of seeming to ratify its legitimacy.
—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Federal officials have declined to provide critical details substantiating their claim that an agent shot ICU nurse Alex Pretti in self-defense.
—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantiating
Adjective
-
The incredible supporting cast is made up entirely of old-hand character actors, promising but underknown newcomers, and comedy- or comedy-adjacent figures with passionate niche followings and Gumby-esque limbs.
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Some went after Cashman, some after Boone, some after Steinbrenner’s son Hal, and some after Aaron Judge’s non-supporting cast.
Verb
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As the community continues to grow, Crabby Baddies is proving that the strongest catch of the day may be the connections made along the pier.
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Even celebrities like Nicole Kidman have been spotted embracing this luxe trend, proving its status as a sleek alternative to chunky athletic shoes that feel heavy and overly bulky on the move.
Verb
-
Never send deposits before independently verifying the property owner or management company.
-
These systems—such as Isabelle, Lean, and Rocq—are specialized programming languages that check mathematical proofs step-by-step, verifying their logical correctness.
Verb
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Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, continues to defy time at the World Cup, embodying the finite nature of elite careers.
-
Torch Song by Alison Saar was inspired by the Statue of Liberty but given a more Chicago flair by embodying the spirit of the city's blues heritage.
Verb
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Netanyahu said that Israel is allowing the Lebanese army to begin preparing to take control of territory, while the Israeli military is establishing two pilot zones.
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The Gateway space station planned for lunar orbit was also canceled in favor of a stronger focus on establishing a base on the moon's surface.
Verb
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By turning watch parties into product discovery moments, the brand reaches consumers precisely when soft drink consumption peaks, while reinforcing its positioning as a healthier alternative to traditional game-day beverages.
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The company’s logo centers on Vine Street itself, reinforcing a sense of place within the neighborhood.
Adjective
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There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections and patients usually receive supportive care like supplemental oxygen for respiratory issues and dialysis in the case of kidney failure.
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Standard supportive care, especially if started early, can help and the WHO says more than 200 people have recovered.
Verb
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To prevail in a habeas petition, Maxwell would need to show that serious constitutional violations occurred during her trial or sentencing, or that significant new evidence has emerged demonstrating her innocence.
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The couple spent their weekend at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon, demonstrating the close relationship between the Japanese and Belgian royal families.
Cite this Entry
“Substantiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantiating. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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