substantiate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to establish by proof or competent evidence.
to substantiate a charge.
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to give substantial existence to.
to substantiate an idea through action.
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to affirm as having substance; give body to; strengthen.
to substantiate a friendship.
verb
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to establish as valid or genuine
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to give form or real existence to
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of substantiate
First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin substantiātus (past participle of substantiāre ), equivalent to Latin substanti(a) substance + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
To substantiate is to give support to a claim. We’d really like to believe in the Tooth Fairy; however, more evidence is needed to substantiate her existence (besides that quarter in your pocket). Substantiate is related to the word substantial, which means "solid." So, to substantiate a claim is to make it solid or believable. If the evidence given in support of an argument is weak and unconvincing, that evidence can be described as insubstantial. Of course, in special cases like the Tooth Fairy, having substantial evidence doesn’t seem to matter; fans just keep on believing.
Vocabulary lists containing substantiate
100 Top "SAT" Words
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Officials said they have no information to substantiate the claim that the grenades were kept overnight in their trucks or home.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Pressed again about the IDF's comments, he said: "There is no assessment to substantiate what's being said."
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
Yet the IG found that roughly half of children lacked documentation of an autism diagnosis or evaluation, and some 20% of providers didn’t substantiate their credentials to provide therapy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
The ECB has been unable to substantiate the BBC allegations, but former England captain Vaughan called for the governing body to investigate the issue thoroughly.
From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026
But there was an unmistakable grooming about him, too; he was not one of those who used untidiness to substantiate their radicalism.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
