unfounded

[ uhn-foun-did ]

adjective

1. without foundation; not based on fact, realistic considerations, or the like:

   unfounded suspicions.

   Synonyms: unjustified, false, idle, groundless, unsubstantiated

2. not established; not founded:

   the prophet of a religion as yet unfounded.

unfounded

/ ʌnˈfaʊndɪd /

adjective

1. (of ideas, allegations, etc) baseless; groundless
2. not yet founded or established

Derived Forms

• unˈfoundedness, noun
• unˈfoundedly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·founded·ly adverb
• un·founded·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfounded¹

First recorded in 1640–50; un- ¹ + found ¹ + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The Turkish government said it “fully respects international law”, adding that the UN’s February 2024 report provided “no substantiating evidence” for its “unfounded allegations”.

From BBC

The popular vote win "once again another indication that the idea that Trump can only win through voter suppression or some kind of institutional failure is unfounded," Fraga said.

From Salon

A similar unfounded threat was also received by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters on Friday evening at its office in Riverside.

From Los Angeles Times

Kerry Gillespie, of Hudgell Solicitors, said many feel they can publish "harmful, unfounded allegations against others, especially those who have already suffered from tragedy" but added that this case has changed the landscape.

From BBC

“It’s a scary time to be a trans person, and to hear so much really unfounded and startling rhetoric from that side, and to think that that may be pushed into actual legislation,” Poznanski said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baseless
• deceptive
• fabricated
• false
• gratuitous
• groundless
• illogical
• misleading
• spurious
• unjustified
• unproven
• unsubstantiated
• untrue
• untruthful
• unwarranted