Choose the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The reporter could not substantiate the rumour about the new metro line, so the editor dropped the story.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Verify
As used in the sentence, substantiate means to give facts or proof to show that something is true. Its synonym is verify. Example: Neha kept the bill to substantiate her complaint about the faulty fan.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Investigate | to look into something carefully to find the facts (finding out, not proving) | The police came to investigate the theft at the jewellery shop. |
| (2) Verify (answer) | to check or show that something is true (same as substantiate) | The bank called Papa to verify his new address. |
| (3) Disprove | to show that something is false (the opposite of substantiate) | Arav used a simple test to disprove his brother’s claim. |
| (4) Exaggerate | to make something seem bigger or worse than it is | Kunal tends to exaggerate the size of every fish he catches. |
| Synonyms of substantiate: verify, prove, confirm Antonyms of substantiate: disprove, refute, contradict |