Unfounded: meaning, definitions and examples

🤷‍♂️

Add to dictionary

unfounded

[ ʌnˈfaʊndɪd ]

^{Context #1}

without basis

Unfounded means not based on fact or reason. It refers to something that lacks evidence or justification.

Synonyms

baseless, groundless, unsubstantiated

Examples of usage

The accusations against him were unfounded.
The claims of the conspiracy theorists were completely unfounded.

^{Context #2}

not justified

Unfounded can also mean not justified or unwarranted. It describes something that is not supported by valid reasons or arguments.

Synonyms

unjustified, unreasonable, unwarranted

Examples of usage

His unfounded fears prevented him from taking any risks.
The decision to fire her was completely unfounded.

Translations

Translations of the word "unfounded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 infundado

🇮🇳 अधारहीन

🇩🇪 unbegründet

🇮🇩 tidak berdasar

🇺🇦 безпідставний

🇵🇱 bezpodstawny

🇯🇵 根拠のない

🇫🇷 non fondé

🇪🇸 infundado

🇹🇷 asılsız

🇰🇷 근거 없는

🇸🇦 لا أساس له

🇨🇿 neopodstatněný

🇸🇰 neopodstatnený

🇨🇳 没有根据的

🇸🇮 neutemeljen

🇮🇸 órökstuddur

🇰🇿 негізсіз

🇬🇪 უსაფუძვლო

🇦🇿 əsassız

🇲🇽 infundado

Word origin

The word unfounded originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the past participle of 'found' meaning 'to establish or base on'. Therefore, unfounded literally means 'not established or based on'. The term has been used in English language since the 16th century.