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
• subˈstantiative, adjective
• subˌstantiˈation, noun

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

The internal review found that some teams of investigators would only substantiate chokeholds if they could prove that a victim’s breathing had been restricted.

From ProPublica

The latter possibility, if substantiated, would, of course, cause a flurry of excitement among theoretical physicists to say the least, as it could imply the existence of new forces and particles.

From Nautilus

Yet, the lack of OTAs this year demonstrated that those theories aren’t substantiated.

From Washington Post

She reported the death to the state, which, in a February letter to Williams, said it did not substantiate the complaint but found other unrelated violations at the facility.

From Washington Post

Judges, regardless of who appointed them, to date have overwhelmingly found that there was nothing to substantiate the allegations of massive fraud.

From Washington Post

So, President Obama does right by making every effort to substantiate the charges against Assad.

From The Daily Beast

In his comments Tuesday, Obama continued the hard-to-substantiate “job-creating” theme from his SOTU address.

From The Daily Beast

Thus, catharsis, in a physiological sense, has been difficult to substantiate, but the results are by no means conclusive.

From The Daily Beast

If the emails released today substantiate these claims, Hunt's career could be in jeopardy.

From The Daily Beast

It's why it is so important to substantiate both the plot, and its connection to Iran.

From The Daily Beast

How far Greene was able to substantiate his claim before the university is not recorded; he died in October, 1630.

From Project Gutenberg

This power of the pulpit enabled the hierarchy to set up and substantiate any claims which they chose.

From Project Gutenberg

However, this is pure speculation, as there is nothing to substantiate such an assumption.

From Project Gutenberg

To substantiate and set forth at large the momentous distinction between Reason and Understanding.

From Project Gutenberg

As we have hinted at the strength of his memory, we will now produce some facts to substantiate the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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