Substantiate
verb
To give evidence or proof that something is true or real.
She needs to substantiate her claims with evidence.

Often appears as...
- substantiate a claim
- substantiate a theory
verb
To establish the existence or reality of something by evidence or proof.
The prosecutor was able to substantiate the charges with solid evidence.

Often appears as...
- substantiate the allegations
- substantiate the charges
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To make something, such as a claim or theory, seem more likely or probable by providing factual or substantive supporting evidence.
He's struggling to substantiate his hypothesis about the origin of the species.

Often appears as...
- substantiate a hypothesis
- substantiate a premise
Usage tips
Approving
Academic
verb
To give evidence or proof that something is true or real.
She needs to substantiate her claims with evidence.

Often appears as...
- substantiate a claim
- substantiate a theory
verb
To establish the existence or reality of something by evidence or proof.
The prosecutor was able to substantiate the charges with solid evidence.

Often appears as...
- substantiate the allegations
- substantiate the charges
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To make something, such as a claim or theory, seem more likely or probable by providing factual or substantive supporting evidence.
He's struggling to substantiate his hypothesis about the origin of the species.

Often appears as...
- substantiate a hypothesis
- substantiate a premise
Usage tips
Approving
Academic
Definition 1 of 3

Context Matters
Use 'substantiate' when discussing proof in everyday conversation or writing, not just in formal settings.

You'll need to substantiate your excuse for missing the deadline.
Empirical Evidence
'Substantiate' often refers to tangible, empirical evidence that supports a statement or belief.

The study was needed to substantiate the benefits of the new medicine.
Perception of Strength
The term 'substantiate' can make an argument seem stronger, as it implies solidity in the evidence provided.

Her diary entries helped substantiate her presence at the event.
Context Matters
Use 'substantiate' when discussing proof in everyday conversation or writing, not just in formal settings.

You'll need to substantiate your excuse for missing the deadline.
Empirical Evidence
'Substantiate' often refers to tangible, empirical evidence that supports a statement or belief.

The study was needed to substantiate the benefits of the new medicine.
Perception of Strength
The term 'substantiate' can make an argument seem stronger, as it implies solidity in the evidence provided.

Her diary entries helped substantiate her presence at the event.
Context Matters
Use 'substantiate' when discussing proof in everyday conversation or writing, not just in formal settings.

You'll need to substantiate your excuse for missing the deadline.
Empirical Evidence
'Substantiate' often refers to tangible, empirical evidence that supports a statement or belief.

The study was needed to substantiate the benefits of the new medicine.
Perception of Strength
The term 'substantiate' can make an argument seem stronger, as it implies solidity in the evidence provided.

Her diary entries helped substantiate her presence at the event.
Video examples
This Indigenous Practice...
that changes the game because now you're saying here look at we've demonstrated we don't need western science to validate or substantiate indigenous knowledge and cultural practices but it certainly could corroborate that and say this is where they're aligned he's found that when groups burn underbrush regularly the brush doesn't
Video examples
This Indigenous Practice...
that changes the game because now you're saying here look at we've demonstrated we don't need western science to validate or substantiate indigenous knowledge and cultural practices but it certainly could corroborate that and say this is where they're aligned he's found that when groups burn underbrush regularly the brush doesn't
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Erik Erikson
American Psychologist
Every adult, whether he is a follower or a leader, a member of a mass or of an elite, was once a child. He was once small. A sense of smallness forms a substratum in his mind, ineradicably. His triumphs will be measured against this smallness; his defeats will substantiate it.

Quote examples
Clint Smith
American Writer
Photography, sculpture, and painting were wielded as cultural weapons over the course of generations to substantiate the idea that black people were inherently subordinate beings; they were used to make slavery acceptable and to make black subjugation more palatable.

Quote examples
Ruth Ozeki
Canadian Novelist
When I start writing these novels, I go into them with a spirit of inquiry rather than to substantiate prejudices I had in the beginning. If you don't do that, you can't write good characters.

Quote examples
Dan Jenkins
American Author
There's usually one piece in 'Vanity Fair' every month that grabs me, but when it presents hatchet jobs without substantiation to impress its liberal friends, I laugh first, then toss.

Quote examples
Erik Spoelstra
American Coach
Sometimes, you have a hunch and then you find numbers that substantiate that, it makes either the staff or the players say, 'OK, let's fix that.

Quote examples
Vinoba Bhave
Indian Educator
When a thing is true, there is no need to use any arguments to substantiate it.

Quote examples
Erik Erikson
American Psychologist
Every adult, whether he is a follower or a leader, a member of a mass or of an elite, was once a child. He was once small. A sense of smallness forms a substratum in his mind, ineradicably. His triumphs will be measured against this smallness; his defeats will substantiate it.

Quote examples
Clint Smith
American Writer
Photography, sculpture, and painting were wielded as cultural weapons over the course of generations to substantiate the idea that black people were inherently subordinate beings; they were used to make slavery acceptable and to make black subjugation more palatable.

Quote examples
Ruth Ozeki
Canadian Novelist
When I start writing these novels, I go into them with a spirit of inquiry rather than to substantiate prejudices I had in the beginning. If you don't do that, you can't write good characters.

Quote examples
Dan Jenkins
American Author
There's usually one piece in 'Vanity Fair' every month that grabs me, but when it presents hatchet jobs without substantiation to impress its liberal friends, I laugh first, then toss.

Quote examples
Erik Spoelstra
American Coach
Sometimes, you have a hunch and then you find numbers that substantiate that, it makes either the staff or the players say, 'OK, let's fix that.

Quote examples
Vinoba Bhave
Indian Educator
When a thing is true, there is no need to use any arguments to substantiate it.

Example 1 of 6
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