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
  • Outdoor brands like Halfdays, FP Movement, Patagonia, and Athleta have quite frankly never looked better, with cheerful colorways, unique designs, and trail-ready pieces all proving that function doesn’t have to mean boring.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • No, really—4,000-year-old perfumes were discovered in Greece back in 2007, proving as much.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Sofia also needed two bills or other documents verifying her address.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The process includes verifying the signature on the ballot with the signature the individual used when registering to vote.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the 1996 film directed by Mary Harron, Taylor, 59, spoke with Interview Magazine about embodying the complicated woman who attempted to kill Andy Warhol.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Herrera proactively trains staff for potential immigration enforcement, creating vital protocols due to a lack of external business guidance, embodying a steadfast commitment to protecting its community.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Plants will spend a portion of this window simply establishing their root systems before even attempting production.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Those purveyors would handle all sourcing, hiring, and merchandising, and most of all, be responsible, in collaboration with the EDC, for establishing the 30% discounts.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Officials reported Wednesday that firefighters had established containment lines around the perimeters of all three fires affecting Spokane and that they were focused on reinforcing those lines.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, Novo reported another mixed clinical result for next-generation weight-loss drug CagriSema, reinforcing investor questions about the company's longer-term pipeline.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • This is also supportive for pricing your work, recognizing your talent, or making money decisions with more confidence.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The company said feedback during that period was strongly supportive.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Kennedy also questioned the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for children, despite extensive studies demonstrating their effectiveness in preventing severe illness.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • After 2,000 hours of continuous operation, the tandem solar cells retained more than 91 percent of their original efficiency, demonstrating strong long-term stability.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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