substantiate
Americanverb (used with object)
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substantiates,
present (3rd person singular)
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substantiated,
past participle, past
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substantiating
present participle
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to establish by proof or competent evidence.
to substantiate a charge.
-
to give substantial existence to.
to substantiate an idea through action.
-
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
Derived Forms
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substantiationnoun
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substantiatornoun
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resubstantiateverb (used with object)
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substantiatableadjective
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substantiativeadjective
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unsubstantiatableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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substantiatesimple
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substantiatessimple
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have substantiatedperfect
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has substantiatedperfect
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am substantiatingprogressive
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are substantiatingprogressive
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is substantiatingprogressive
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have been substantiatingperfect progressive
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has been substantiatingperfect progressive
Past
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substantiatedsimple
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had substantiatedperfect
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was substantiatingprogressive
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were substantiatingprogressive
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had been substantiatingperfect progressive
Future
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
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6
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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.
See Examples For:
Prosecutors insisted, however, that the evidence did not substantiate the claim Patterson would be in isolation for "many years to come".
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Exhaustive reviews of the published science on raw milk have broadly been unable to substantiate claims of its benefits, and most experts agree that it is neither healthy nor safe to consume.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
After the impeachment vote on Monday, Duterte's defence counsel said in a statement that "the burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims" according to the law.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
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
According to Thorne, "he did not understand the laws of physics well enough to be able to substantiate his ideas."
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
And it substantiates the argument Sir Keir himself made in the House of Commons.
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026
“Not every criminal investigation substantiates evidence of a criminal violation of federal law,” she said.
From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2023
His encounter with Margarethe substantiates that he can slide into any place and any conversation and gain people's trust without being questioned.
From Salon ● May 17, 2022
It substantiates — it symphonizes — the I among the we.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2021
“Apparently, it’s public record, and it substantiates what you described. He told me that we should look at it”—Gay paused meaningfully—“before too long.”
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
“My testimony and the testimony of the other women were substantiated by investigators,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026
If a claim is substantiated, the plagiarist is seen as sloppy or lazy at best, and fundamentally dishonest at worst.
From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026
"No court, no agency has ever substantiated any allegation of abuse against me," Miller said in a video posted Sunday, insisting he would remain in the race and win.
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
It said the claims had been investigated by authorities in several jurisdictions which, according to BGC, had not substantiated the allegations.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
And I would read him the letter—reading slowly and pronouncing each word with extreme care—telling him that his claims for a pension had not been substantiated and that his application had been rejected.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
This watershed boxed set features cutting-edge remasters of the singer’s 1920s recordings, substantiating her centrality in blues and beyond.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
The New York Times has reviewed documentation substantiating her account.
From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2024
There has been no comment yet from Israel, and Hamas did not provide substantiating evidence.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
It is “imperative” for the judge to confirm that the presented evidence is relevant in substantiating the legal issues at hand.
From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2023
Where property is taken or destroyed, in the manner described in the said section, the person interested therein will procure the necessary documents and proofs substantiating his claim.
From Impressions of America During The Years 1833, 1834, and 1835. In Two Volumes, Volume II. by Tyrone Power
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
