groundless

adjective

ground·​less ˈgrau̇n(d)-ləs How to pronounce groundless (audio)
: having no ground or foundation
groundless fears
groundlessly adverb
groundlessness noun

Example Sentences

please stop making groundless accusations against innocent people fears of a strike proved groundless
Recent Examples on the Web Tran’s suspicions — which were apparently groundless — were laid out in documents obtained by The Times from the San Gabriel Police Department. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2023 The movement today doesn’t need Brinkley’s groundless optimism. Scott W. Stern, The New Republic, 10 Jan. 2023 On Tuesday, a senior North Korean military official called the Biden administration’s claim a groundless rumor. Timothy W. Martin, WSJ, 8 Nov. 2022 As has happened in the United States, when the party leader claims that an election was stolen, no matter how groundless the accusation, a significant share of the rank-and-file will come to believe it. David Faris, The Week, 21 July 2022 The turn of the 20th century saw a dizzying array of wellness gurus and gospels, some far more bizarre and groundless than a ban on kissing. John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2022 Mastriano, who has promoted similar groundless allegations, would have the power as governor to appoint Pennsylvania's secretary of state, who oversees elections there. Libby Cathey, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2022 Favre’s attorney Eric Herschmann said in a statement Monday that the department’s new $5 million demand against Favre is groundless. Emily Wagster Pettus, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2022 Hassan's record of reaching across the aisle and Bolduc's embrace of Trump's groundless claims that the 2020 election was stolen have Miller voting blue this year. USA Today, 4 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'groundless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundless was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near groundless

Cite this Entry

“Groundless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundless. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

groundless

adjective
ground·​less ˈgrau̇n-(d)ləs How to pronounce groundless (audio)
: not justified : having no real basis
groundless fears
groundlessly adverb
groundlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on groundless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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