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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
-
Some went after Cashman, some after Boone, some after Steinbrenner’s son Hal, and some after Aaron Judge’s non-supporting cast.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The singer and talk show host wore a light-wash, relaxed-fit pair on a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, proving the breezy silhouette is every bit as warm-weather-friendly as your favorite sundress.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
There was no evidence proving a hostile state orchestrated the fires because police never discovered El Money's motive or who the figure worked for, said Cmdr.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
And there were huge gaps in the JCPOA and the Obama nuclear deal in terms of actually verifying.—
Quinn Scanlan,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
-
Never click suspicious links or provide personal information without independently verifying the source.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
But spending her nights on the casino floor was only Charbonneau’s first step toward embodying Cay, a free-spirited sculptor by day who unnerves Vivan from their first, cinematic encounter.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
Zi is at once intimate and mysterious, embodying the curiosity, generosity, and singular vision that have come to define Kogonada’s work.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Onboard mechanical systems convert the kinetic movement of waves into a steady supply of electricity, establishing a continuous power source that functions independently of weather-dependent terrestrial renewables like solar or wind.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
-
Worthington spent 14 seasons in the major leagues and appeared in 602 games, establishing himself as one of the premier relief pitchers of his era.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
For the first time on Shark Week, the full range of great white hunting tactics will be revealed, reinforcing their status as one of the ocean’s top predator.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
Research from McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 39% more likely to outperform financially than those in the bottom quartile, reinforcing the growing business case for inclusive leadership.—
Jack Hayes,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Her care team was gently urging her to switch to supportive, closed-toe footwear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Her manager was supportive but company policy was less so.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Through it all, Sirianni has been adaptable, demonstrating a willingness to make big changes on the fly.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The humanities will survive not by defending an imagined past of disinterested purity, but by demonstrating their necessity in a fractured republic.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantiating. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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