unfounded

American  

[uhn-foun-did] / ʌnˈfaʊn dɪd /

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.

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unfounded British  

/ ʌnˈfaʊndɪd /

adjective

1. (of ideas, allegations, etc) baseless; groundless

2. not yet founded or established

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Other Word Forms

• unfoundedly adverb
• unfoundedness noun

Etymology

Origin of unfounded

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

Example Sentences

But as it turns out, these theories were little more than unfounded speculation from hesitant viewers looking to make sense of the over-the-top visual landscape of Fennell’s film.

From Salon

This version of events has since been disputed by the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, which has denied the antivenom was unavailable and said claims its response was inadequate were unfounded.

From BBC

The DOJ said at the time that the allegations were “unfounded and false.”

From Los Angeles Times

The US justice department has said allegations about him are unfounded and false.

From BBC

At a press briefing Thursday, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman warned against unfounded speculation and referred back to the original announcement of the probe into Zhang’s alleged violations of party discipline and state law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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