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

Other Word Forms

• unfoundedly adverb
• unfoundedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfounded¹

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

Example Sentences

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was obvious Germany had long been "indirectly involved" in the war in Ukraine and he rejected "unfounded accusations" of Russian involvement in last week's disruption in Denmark.

From BBC

Grewal also wrote that authorities had investigated her clinic following “completely false and totally unfounded” allegations that she was running an illegal ballot-harvesting operation from her office during the last election cycle.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts fear that if parents refrain from getting their children vaccinated as a result of his unfounded claims, it risks the re-emergence of diseases like measles.

From BBC

But prosecutors said he had started to plot to stay in power long before, proposing a coup to military commanders and sowing unfounded doubts about the electoral system.

From BBC

Another pupil, Elliot, said he was worried it might be painful, but his fears were unfounded.

From BBC

Related Words

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