baseless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- baselessly adverb
- baselessness noun
Etymology
Origin of baseless
Explanation
If something's baseless, it can't be proven or justified. A baseless accusation of cheating, for example, has no facts or evidence to back it up. Baseless facts in a research paper don't have sources — they may have simply come from the writer's own imagination. A baseless allegation is when one person accuses another of doing something wrong, without having any solid proof or reason for the accusation. The sense of base that baseless comes from is "foundation," from the Greek basis, "step or pedestal."
Vocabulary lists containing baseless
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 3
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Mythology
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Novel Study: Oedipus Rex, Parts IV–VI
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Ikhilov firm says the complaint is baseless.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
He denied the accusations in a statement, saying they "are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time".
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
"Any insinuation, without evidence, that a member of the government engaged in these acts is baseless and irresponsible," a White House spokesperson told several media outlets.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
At the time, LGBTQ+ advocates slammed the suit as baseless and damaging.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
“You see? This is how it starts. A few baseless rumors get around, and pretty soon you can kiss Dino-land goodbye!”
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
