- to establish as valid or genuine
- to give form or real existence to
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sub•stan•ti•ate /səbˈstænʃiˌeɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -at•ed, -at•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to show or establish (a claim, opinion, etc.) by proof or strong evidence:to substantiate a charge.
sub•stan•ti•ate
(səb stan′shē āt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -at•ed, -at•ing.
sub•stan′ti•a′ta•ble, adj.
sub•stan′ti•a′tion, n.
sub•stan′ti•a′tive, adj.
sub•stan′ti•a′tor, n.
- 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.
- Neo-Latin substantiātus (past participle of substantiāre), equivalent. to Latin substanti(a) substance + -ātus -ate1
- 1650–60
sub•stan′ti•a′tion, n.
sub•stan′ti•a′tive, adj.
sub•stan′ti•a′tor, n.
- 1. prove, confirm, verify, validate.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
substantiate /səbˈstænʃɪˌeɪt/ vb (transitive)
'substantiate' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
justify
- support
- verify
- authenticate
- bear
- confirm
- cryptozoology
- document
- documentation
- establish
- good
- preaudit
- prove
- unsubstantiated
- validate