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substantiate

verb

/səbˈstanʃɪeɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of substantiate

To provide evidence or proof to support a claim or assertion.
"The researcher needs to substantiate his claims with more evidence."

Detailed meaning of substantiate

It is often used in the context of legal or scientific arguments, where facts and evidence are used to back up a given position or theory. In the legal system, for example, a party may be asked to substantiate a claim by providing documents or testimony that support their argument. In scientific research, data and experiments are used to substantiate a hypothesis or theory. The term can also be used more generally to refer to the act of providing proof or evidence for any kind of assertion or claim. The goal of substantiating a claim is to make it more credible and trustworthy.

Example sentences containing substantiate

1. He needed to substantiate his argument with solid data and research.
2. The detective sought to substantiate the suspect's alibi.
3. It's crucial to substantiate your findings with credible sources.
4. Her research was designed to substantiate the existence of the elusive creature.
5. They failed to substantiate their claims with concrete evidence.
6. The witness's testimony helped substantiate the defendant's innocence.

History and etymology of substantiate

The verb 'substantiate' has its etymological roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'substantiare,' which combines 'sub-' meaning 'under' or 'to a greater degree' and 'stantia,' meaning 'substance' or 'essence.' Essentially, 'substantiate' originally meant to give substance or essence to something, making it more tangible or real. Over time, this term was adopted into English to describe the act of providing evidence or proof to support a claim or assertion, effectively giving substance to an argument or statement. When you substantiate a claim, you offer concrete evidence that makes it more substantial and credible. The etymology of 'substantiate' underscores its historical connection to the concept of giving substance or validity to statements or claims, emphasizing the importance of providing evidence to support one's assertions.

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Further usage examples of substantiate

1. To win the debate, you must substantiate your points with facts.
2. The scientist worked tirelessly to substantiate her groundbreaking theory.
3. Can you substantiate your accusations with any proof?
4. The journalist aimed to substantiate the scandalous allegations.
5. The legal team struggled to substantiate their client's innocence.
6. They needed more data to substantiate their hypothesis.
7. The photos served to substantiate the eyewitness accounts.
8. She provided documents to substantiate her claim to the inheritance.
9. The experiments were conducted to substantiate the new drug's efficacy.
10. The survey results failed to substantiate the marketing team's assumptions.
11. He sought to substantiate the ancient legend with archaeological evidence.
12. The committee requested additional information to substantiate the proposal.
13. His findings helped substantiate the link between diet and health.
14. Without credible witnesses, it's challenging to substantiate the accident's cause.
15. We can't accept your argument unless you can substantiate it.
16. The witness was able to substantiate the defendant's alibi.
17. The documents presented by the lawyer helped to substantiate his case.
18. The report is incomplete and lacks the necessary data to substantiate the findings.
19. The company will provide additional data to substantiate their claims of product safety.
20. It's important to substantiate any allegations before making them public.
21. The new study seeks to substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed treatment.
22. The athlete was able to substantiate her doping allegations with test results.
23. The historian was able to substantiate her research with primary source documents.
24. The journalist was asked to substantiate her story with credible sources.
25. The committee requested more information to substantiate the company's financial statements.