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
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
  • In many ways, stonewashed denim is proving that history can repeat itself—this time with a greater emphasis on responsible production.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
  • Perhaps proving his point, the actor struggled to get studio backing for the political drama, which was perceived as too risky.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Customers who aren't Caniac Club members can join by visiting any location and requesting a Caniac Club card, then registering and verifying their email address.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 25 July 2026
  • Audits conducted in every state uncovered numerous non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses that remained valid long after an immigrant’s work permits had expired or were issued without properly verifying their citizenship status.
    Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • In European mythology and literature, storytellers often portrayed dragons as creatures that amassed enormous wealth without ever using or sharing it, embodying the idea that riches pursued for their own sake can lead to isolation and ruin.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • Some two decades later, Dane is still embodying that homegrown approach, one free lake show at a time.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Key steps include mapping data assets, establishing clear governance for access and accountability, ensuring data quality, and improving accessibility by breaking down silos and utilizing APIs.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The series of agreements aimed at establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and its neighbors in the Middle East.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Notably, American family offices themselves actually increased home-country allocation from 86% to 88%, reinforcing Patterson’s diversification framing over one of outright flight.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Rather than concentrating education at a single point in time, scaffolding supports individuals through a sequence of decisions, building understanding gradually and reinforcing it in context.
    Debby Moorman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • If your style leans a bit more sporty, this supportive shoe is an easy pick.
    Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 30 July 2026
  • Today, Daley is two years into recovery, has reconnected with his daughter and lives at Sun Rose Apartments, an 82-unit permanent supportive housing community.
    Conor McGill, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Sessions explored historical philanthropic strategies, future technologies like AI, and the importance of research in demonstrating HBCU impact.
    Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The new initiative expands that work by demonstrating how multiple electrical technologies can operate together within a complete aircraft energy architecture.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Substantiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantiating. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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