unsubstantiated

[ uhn-suhb-stan-shee-ey-tid ]

adjective

1. not substantiated; unproved or unverified:

   unsubstantiated allegations.

2. being without form or substance.

unsubstantiated

/ ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃɪˌeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. not established as valid or genuine

   unsubstantiated allegations

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsubstantiated¹

First recorded in 1765–75; un- ¹ + substantiate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

But the academy was critical of the "increasingly acrimonious and destructive debate" which it said had been fuelled by unsubstantiated comments on social media and was damaging teamwork across the health service.

From BBC

At the time, the company said claims the government had made against it were “unsubstantiated.”

From New York Times

Paul has faced repeated and unsubstantiated accusations that his fights are predetermined, but he did suffer a loss to Briton Tommy Fury in 2020.

From BBC

And disappointed Democratic Party supporters developed their own unsubstantiated voter fraud theories, some of which went viral on X, formerly Twitter, and other platforms.

From BBC

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said Tuesday afternoon that his office was monitoring “unsubstantiated” bomb threats at four locations in Navajo Nation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debatable
• dubious
• unsupported