Synonyms of establish

establish

verb

i-ˈsta-blish 

1

as in to prove

to gain full recognition or acceptance of

a first novel that established him as one of the most promising writers of his generation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prove
• demonstrate
• show
• substantiate
• confirm
• sustain
• uphold
• justify
• verify
• validate
• document
• support
• authenticate
• evidence
• bear out
• corroborate
• attest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disprove
• invalidate
• refute
• discredit
• rebut
• confute

2

as in to demonstrate

to show the existence or truth of by evidence

the developers haven't established that there's a need for another shopping center in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prove
• demonstrate
• validate
• identify
• substantiate
• verify
• confirm
• document
• uphold
• corroborate
• sustain
• support
• buttress
• certify
• record
• authenticate
• evince
• adduce
• evidence
• witness
• vouch
• testify
• attest
• circumstantiate
• clinch
• back (up)
• depose
• settle
• confess
• nail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refute
• disprove
• object
• challenge
• rebut
• assume
• dispute
• presume
• allege
• guess
• suspect
• surmise
• conjecture

3

as in to initiate

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of

established the first school in the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• initiate
• create
• found
• introduce
• pioneer
• launch
• institute
• begin
• inaugurate
• constitute
• construct
• start
• develop
• organize
• plant
• originate
• invent
• innovate
• devise
• produce
• set up
• author
• manufacture
• conceive
• expand
• fund
• endow
• contrive
• concoct
• make up
• think (up)
• arrange
• fabricate
• finance
• enlarge
• subsidize
• cook (up)
• father
• systematize
• reinstitute
• systemize
• reinitiate
• put up
• refound
• relaunch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close (down)
• shut (up)
• abolish
• nullify
• stop
• terminate
• annul
• finish
• end
• phase out
• halt
• annihilate
• wind up
• round (off or out)
• wrap up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of establish

The temple is thought to have been erected sometime during the third century CE, when the nearby Kapersburg fort was established as part of Rome’s frontier in Germania. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026

But observational studies can only establish association — not causation. — Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026

The bill strengthens reporting requirements to state and local agencies when companies import fireworks, establish new facilities or seek a fireworks license. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

The museum was established by Thomas Gilcrease, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, in 1949 and is now owned by the City of Tulsa and managed by the University of Tulsa. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026