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
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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.
Cercy said that “attempting to insinuate otherwise and tear him down with a baseless, lie-filled tabloid story is not real reporting.”
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026
White House officials have called those allegations baseless and have asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
Berlin has denounced the allegations against him as "baseless" and Amnesty International has demanded his release.
From Barron's ● May 21, 2026
“However, any implication that administration officials are engaged in such activity without evidence is baseless and irresponsible reporting,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
He had still to tell her that her unflinching hope was baseless.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
