unsubstantiated

[uhn-suhb-stan-shee-ey-tid]

adjective

1. not substantiated; unproved or unverified.

   unsubstantiated allegations.

2. being without form or substance.

unsubstantiated

/ ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃɪˌeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. not established as valid or genuine

   unsubstantiated allegations

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsubstantiated¹

First recorded in 1765–75; un- ¹ + substantiate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

On Sunday, she was "determined to reconcile", adding that she would no longer be pursuing legal action "despite the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against me".

From BBC

In January, the county’s Equal Employment Opportunity Access office determined Doe’s complaint was unsubstantiated.

From Los Angeles Times

The president took control of Washington, D.C.’s police force and deployed the National Guard there earlier this month, in response to an unsubstantiated surge in crime in the capital.

From Salon

The lawsuit refers to these allegations as “unsubstantiated.”

From Salon

The Israeli military has previously made unsubstantiated claims that journalists it targeted and killed in Gaza were terrorists.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debatable 
• dubious 
• unsupported