German word

untermauern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌʊntɐˈmaʊ̯ɐn/

Meaning

  • verbsupport

Example

Der Bericht untermauert die These.

The report supports the thesis.

Illustration for untermauern (support)

More examples

Ohne Belege lässt sich die Behauptung nicht untermauern.

Without evidence, the claim cannot be substantiated.

Core concept

A claim rests on a firm base of facts and evidence.

Common phrases

  • mit Fakten untermauern

    support with facts

  • wissenschaftlich untermauern

    substantiate scientifically

  • seine These untermauern

    support his thesis

Similar words

belegen: Establishing the truth of a fact or claim through documents, records, or data.
nachweisen: Demonstrating a fact or cause conclusively through experiments or evidence.
bestätigen: Checking that earlier information or a conclusion is correct using observations or new information.
begründen: Justifying an action or decision by explaining its reasons or underlying grounds.

Definition in German

eine Aussage durch Beweise, Fakten oder Argumente stützen

Word origin

Untermauern combines unter ('under') and Mauer ('wall') and originally referred to supporting a wall from below before gaining its figurative evidential sense.

Usage tips

  • Untermauern is especially common in formal and academic prose; everyday alternatives include belegen and stützen.

Other meanings

  • substantiateverb
  • reinforceverb

Opposites

  • entkräftenundermineverb

Related words

  • Untermauerungsubstantiationnoun

Word lists with this word