Which word means to support with proof or evidence?

• A. Substantiate
• B. Sum
• C. Subsidy
• D. Succinct

Answer: (A)

To substantiate means to back up a claim with proof or evidence, making it credible and well supported. In practice, you substantiate a hypothesis by presenting data, experiments, or reliable sources that confirm it. For example, a scientist substantiates a theory with rigorous results from multiple studies, or a lawyer substantiates an argument with documented facts. The idea is about proving something is true or justified.

The other words don’t fit the meaning of providing proof: sum is about adding numbers; subsidy is financial aid provided by the government or an organization; succinct describes something brief and to the point.