as in supportive
serving to give support to the truth or factualness of something
no dearth of probative evidence for the theory of evolution
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of probative
Legal professionals must carefully weigh the probative value against potential juror backlash, educate the jury on the evidence's legitimacy, and consider whether to integrate AI chats cautiously or even forgo them entirely.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Our system already demands that evidence be relevant and probative.
—
Ivan J. Bates,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
This request is denied since these holes in the factual record, where defendants hold the pertinent backup evidence—should such evidence exist—are actually probative in assessing the reliability and accuracy, or lack thereof, of other representations by defendants about their actions more broadly.
—
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Perhaps there is no more probative example of this when the current president would not rule out using American military force to take Greenland and/or the Panama Canal.
—
Letters To The Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
29 Jan. 2025
Weinstein's lawyers argued before the trial that use of such testimony is more prejudicial than probative, but the judge who presided over the trial decided to allow it following a secret hearing.
—
Maria Puente,
USA TODAY,
2 June 2022
In court, slang, generic references, and race can unfairly prejudice juries far beyond their actual probative value.
—
Dina Lapolt,
VIBE.com,
3 Sep. 2019
Fulbright shepherded the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through the Senate in 1964, but two years later, his probative hearings helped shift public opinion against the war.
—
James Goldgeier,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Aug. 2018
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Our system already demands that evidence be relevant and probative.
—
Ivan J. Bates,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
This request is denied since these holes in the factual record, where defendants hold the pertinent backup evidence—should such evidence exist—are actually probative in assessing the reliability and accuracy, or lack thereof, of other representations by defendants about their actions more broadly.
—
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Perhaps there is no more probative example of this when the current president would not rule out using American military force to take Greenland and/or the Panama Canal.
—
Letters To The Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
29 Jan. 2025
Weinstein's lawyers argued before the trial that use of such testimony is more prejudicial than probative, but the judge who presided over the trial decided to allow it following a secret hearing.
—
Maria Puente,
USA TODAY,
2 June 2022
In court, slang, generic references, and race can unfairly prejudice juries far beyond their actual probative value.
—
Dina Lapolt,
VIBE.com,
3 Sep. 2019
Fulbright shepherded the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through the Senate in 1964, but two years later, his probative hearings helped shift public opinion against the war.
—
James Goldgeier,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probative
Adjective
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There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections and patients usually receive supportive care like supplemental oxygen for respiratory issues and dialysis in the case of kidney failure.
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Standard supportive care, especially if started early, can help and the WHO says more than 200 people have recovered.
Adjective
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The incredible supporting cast is made up entirely of old-hand character actors, promising but underknown newcomers, and comedy- or comedy-adjacent figures with passionate niche followings and Gumby-esque limbs.
-
Some went after Cashman, some after Boone, some after Steinbrenner’s son Hal, and some after Aaron Judge’s non-supporting cast.
Cite this Entry
“Probative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probative. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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