baseless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Mythology
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Novel Study: Oedipus Rex, Parts IV–VI
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 Israeli foreign ministry has said the claims of torture are "false and baseless".
From BBC • May 5, 2026
OpenAI has called Musk’s claims baseless, while Microsoft has denied any wrongdoing related to its relationship with the AI lab.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
Beijing shot back that it viewed Washington’s remarks as a "baseless accusation", maintaining that its actions were legitimate.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
Earlier this month, after Sun aired criticism on X, World Liberty tweeted, “Justin’s favorite move is playing the victim while making baseless allegations to cover up his own misconduct.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
So that the anxiety caused by the public reappearance of his family name, having to do with the coronation of Remedios the Beauty, was baseless.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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.
