substantiated

Substantiated is an adjective describing a claim, assertion, or allegation that has been supported by evidence or facts. A substantiated claim is considered proven to be true based on the available information. The term is often contrasted with unsubstantiated or unverified, which describe claims lacking credible supporting evidence.

The word derives from the verb substantiate, which means to provide evidence or proof for something. In English, substantiated evidence is expected to be credible, relevant, and sufficient to support the claim within a given context. The concept is used across fields to indicate that an assertion has undergone a process of verification or corroboration.

Applications vary by domain. In law, substantiated allegations are those supported by evidence that can be presented and tested in a legal proceeding. In journalism, claims should be substantiated by reliable sources and verifiable data before they are reported as fact. In science, findings should be substantiated through experimentation, replication, and peer review. The strength of substantiation depends on the quality, quantity, and relevance of the evidence, and standards differ among disciplines.

Limitations exist. Substantiation does not guarantee absolute truth, only that there is credible support given current information. New evidence can alter or overturn previously substantiated conclusions. The term is commonly used to describe the outcome of investigations, audits, or reviews that aim to establish factual support for a claim.