substantiate

[ suhb-stan-shee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, sub·stan·ti·at·ed, sub·stan·ti·at·ing.

1. to establish by proof or competent evidence:

   to substantiate a charge.

   Synonyms: validate, verify, confirm, prove

2. to give substantial existence to:

   to substantiate an idea through action.

3. to affirm as having substance; give body to; strengthen:

   to substantiate a friendship.

substantiate

/ səbˈstænʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to establish as valid or genuine
2. to give form or real existence to

Derived Forms

• subˈstantiˌator, noun
• subˌstantiˈation, noun
• subˈstantiative, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·stan·ti·a·ta·ble [s, uh, b-stan-shee-, eyt, -, uh, -b, uh, l] adjective
• sub·stan·ti·a·tion [s, uh, b-stan-shee-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• sub·stan·ti·a·tive adjective
• sub·stan·ti·a·tor noun
• re·sub·stan·ti·ate verb (used with object) resubstantiated resubstantiating
• un·sub·stan·ti·at·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of substantiate¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin substantiātus (past participle of substantiāre ), equivalent to Latin substanti(a) substance + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of substantiate¹

C17: from New Latin substantiāre, from Latin substantia substance

Example Sentences

Rather, their standard of proof was “reasonable grounds,” and where they couldn’t directly substantiate allegations themselves, they looked for reasonable grounds to believe they were true.

From Salon

The commission notes that Israel “did not provide evidence to substantiate that claim.”

From Salon

After reading Babb’s novel, some Steinbeck scholars, like Michael J. Meyer, began to substantiate the merit of the claims that Steinbeck had appropriated Babb’s material.

From Salon

From the start, Kirkpatrick says, he was determined to conduct a rigorously empirical inquiry: “We were looking for any data to substantiate any claims that were being made to Congress or in the social media arena.”

From Los Angeles Times

It went on to warn him that there was “a risk that these sources will have provided Panorama with documents that will enable them to substantiate these allegations”.

From BBC

Related Words

• affirm
• confirm
• corroborate
• debunk
• demonstrate
• justify
• prove
• ratify
• validate
• verify