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.
Officials have to deal with baseless allegations of corruption and favouritism as it is, so giving any kind of credence to a lack of professionalism by a referee is a problem.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
The UAE responded by saying it had "dealt with" a drone over its waters, but dismissed claims that Al Minhad Air Base had been targeted as "baseless".
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
These are utterly baseless, as Lindsay Clancy has confessed.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
State Department confirmed the officials were scheduled to visit Brazil to discuss election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression, calling any suggestion the trip was intended to undermine Brazil’s democracy “a baseless lie.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 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.
