unfounded
adjective
un·found·ed
ˌən-ˈfau̇n-dəd 
: lacking a sound basis : groundless, unwarranted
an unfounded accusation
Synonyms
Examples of unfounded in a Sentence
the accusation proved to be unfounded
Recent Examples on the Web
The company alleged Fox defamed it by broadcasting unfounded allegations that Dominion had rigged the election against Trump.
—
C Mandler, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2023
However, a new paper has suggested that such fears may be completely unfounded.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 29 Nov. 2023
Both are unfounded, according to decades of statistics and research.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023
Both candidates have touted unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
However, concerns over China's economic activity are not unfounded even if no one is predicting an economic catastrophe.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Powering off a device occasionally helps preserve battery life
False
This one is a myth too, but not a completely unfounded one.
—WIRED, 27 Oct. 2023
In the waning days of his presidency, some of Trump’s most extreme supporters implored him to name Powell as special counsel to investigate unfounded claims of voter fraud.
—Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023
Trump, from his account on Truth Social, raised the idea of a potential threat by focusing on the unfounded claim that Hamas was coming in to the U.S. through the southern border.
—David Ingram, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2023
See More
C Mandler, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2023
However, a new paper has suggested that such fears may be completely unfounded.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 29 Nov. 2023
Both are unfounded, according to decades of statistics and research.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023
Both candidates have touted unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
However, concerns over China's economic activity are not unfounded even if no one is predicting an economic catastrophe.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Powering off a device occasionally helps preserve battery life
False
This one is a myth too, but not a completely unfounded one.
—WIRED, 27 Oct. 2023
In the waning days of his presidency, some of Trump’s most extreme supporters implored him to name Powell as special counsel to investigate unfounded claims of voter fraud.
—Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023
Trump, from his account on Truth Social, raised the idea of a potential threat by focusing on the unfounded claim that Hamas was coming in to the U.S. through the southern border.
—David Ingram, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfounded.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1648, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near unfounded
Cite this Entry
“Unfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfounded. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
unfounded
adjective
un·found·ed
ˌən-ˈfau̇n-dəd
ˈən-
: lacking a sound base : groundless
unfounded suspicions
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