substantiating 1 of 2

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?

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substantiating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of substantiate
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

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2
3
4
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

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of substantiating
Verb
Made in Filo therefore demonstrates possible applications for exhibitors’ materials rather than substantiating their environmental or technical claims. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026 In his report, Prescott said there is evidence substantiating the claim that Rodriguez-Mendez was extorting Guaranda. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 There is no public evidence substantiating the rumors referenced in the online posts. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026 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
  • Sam Moses is proving there's still something special about the old-fashioned way, despite new technology.
    — Steve Overmyer, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Short, softly layered, and effortlessly chic, the cut became synonymous with her style, proving that sometimes the simplest looks make the biggest statement.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Demand for grading — an act of verifying a card’s authenticity and condition — has grown as collectors increasingly treat trading and vintage sports cards as alternative investments.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Courtesy of Christie's New York A lot of work goes into verifying a discovery like this is real.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Ossoff seems to want to position himself as a man of the people, and Newsom is working on embodying the anti-Trump.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Donna Karan New York has unveiled its latest fall campaign featuring Irina Shayk, who returns to the brand embodying the confidence and modern femininity of the Donna Karan woman.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This may mean removing an abusive parent as their guardian and establishing another relative or foster parent in place of the parent.
    — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Reality television personality Spencer Pratt jumped in a few months later, on the anniversary of the Palisades fire, establishing himself as an unpredictable presence on the campaign trail.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Additional sound insulation for 2026 helps suppress road and drivetrain noise, further reinforcing the RZ's luxury credentials.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Cutting off access to contraceptives serves the Iranian government’s goal of population growth, reinforcing women’s primary role as reproducers.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For his Republican opponent, 62% said Rogers is too supportive of the president.
    — Justin Papp,Caleigh Keating,Garrett Downs,Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Of all Simpson’s children, Arnelle has been the most vocally supportive of her father.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Such generosity in defeat is rare in today’s political climate, and Stevens deserves credit for demonstrating it.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The man behind the wheel wasn’t a thief, but a Baltimore County Police detective demonstrating how quickly an unattended vehicle can disappear while its driver runs a simple errand.
    — Jessica Baugh, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substantiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantiating. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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