Unverifiable: meaning, definitions and examples
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unverifiable
[ʌnˈvɜːrɪfaɪəbl ]
Definition
evidence, claims
Unverifiable refers to something that cannot be confirmed or substantiated through evidence or methods of verification. This term is often used in discussions about data, evidence, claims, and information that lack the necessary proof or documentation to support their validity. In legal contexts, it denotes assertions that cannot be proven true or false, which can impact the reliability of testimonies or documents. In scientific terms, it describes hypotheses or theories that lack the means for experimental confirmation.
Synonyms
unconfirmed, uncorroborated, unproven, unsubstantiated.
Examples of usage
- The witness provided unverifiable information.
- Many unverifiable claims circulate on the internet.
- The research was based on unverifiable data.
- His statement was deemed unverifiable by the experts.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin root 'verificare,' meaning 'to verify or prove,' combined with the prefix 'un-' which means 'not.'
- The suffix '-able' indicates that something can be done, so 'unverifiable' literally means 'not able to be verified.'
- The usage of the term gained popularity in legal and philosophical discussions during the 20th century.
Science
- In scientific research, claims must be verifiable to ensure credibility; unverifiable claims can lead to misinformation.
- Unverifiable hypotheses are often considered weak in the scientific community and can hinder the progression of knowledge.
- Many scientific theories must be subject to testing and verification, which distinguishes them from unverifiable statements.
Legal Context
- In law, evidence must be verifiable; unverifiable evidence risks being dismissed during court proceedings.
- The concept of unverifiability is crucial in evaluating the reliability of witness testimonies in court.
- Legal documents often contain clauses related to the verifiability of claims made within them.
Philosophy
- Philosophers argue about unverifiable statements, particularly in discussions of metaphysics and ethics.
- Some theories state that if a claim cannot be proven true or false, it lacks meaning, raising debates about language and logic.
- The verification principle in logical positivism suggests that only statements verifiable by experience are meaningful, complicating the notion of unverifiability.
Technology
- In the context of information technology, unverifiable data can pose risks for cybersecurity and trust in digital communications.
- Social media platforms often face challenges with unverifiable information, leading to the spread of fake news.
- Blockchain technology was developed partially in response to the need for verifiable transactions, contrasting with the concept of unverifiability.
Translations
Translations of the word "unverifiable" in other languages:
🇵🇹 não verificável
🇮🇳 असत्यापित
🇩🇪 nicht verifizierbar
🇮🇩 tidak dapat diverifikasi
🇺🇦 непідтверджуваний
🇵🇱 nieweryfikowalny
🇯🇵 検証できない
🇫🇷 non vérifiable
🇪🇸 no verificable
🇹🇷 doğrulanamaz
🇰🇷 검증할 수 없는
🇸🇦 غير قابل للتحقق
🇨🇿 neověřitelný
🇸🇰 neoveriteľný
🇨🇳 无法验证
🇸🇮 nepreverljiv
🇮🇸 óstaðfestanlegur
🇰🇿 тексерілмейтін
🇬🇪 არასანქცირებული
🇦🇿 təsdiqlənməz
🇲🇽 no verificable