as in unreasonable
having no basis in reason or fact
the accusation proved to be unfounded
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Recent Examples of unfounded
The Hurst Police Department released body camera video of the incident last week and said an internal investigation determined the excessive force claims were unfounded.
—
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The investigation was closed after authorities determined the woman’s claims were unfounded, the department said.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Bianco also repeated the unfounded claim that unauthorized immigrants had frequently voted in elections.
—Sophia Bollag, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
If the title offers any indication, her concern proved to be unfounded.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfounded
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The investigation was closed after authorities determined the woman’s claims were unfounded, the department said.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Bianco also repeated the unfounded claim that unauthorized immigrants had frequently voted in elections.
—Sophia Bollag, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
If the title offers any indication, her concern proved to be unfounded.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfounded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfounded
Adjective
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As in Williams’ case, attorneys argued that a sweep had violated the plaintiffs’ Fourth Amendment rights protecting them from unreasonable search and seizure, as well as their 14th Amendment right to due process.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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Because that is ultimately what The Secret Garden is about—the stubborn, almost unreasonable insistence of living things to grow toward the light.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At the time, LGBTQ+ advocates slammed the suit as baseless and damaging.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Compounding that volume, legal workers say, is a disorienting veneer of legibility that AI can bring to flawed or baseless arguments.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lawmakers, judges and other public servants, all under groundless presidential attack.—
James D. Zirin,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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Similarly, the course of action that will bring recovery—reviving domestic manufacturing, revitalizing small towns, ensuring fairness for farmers and working people—is not an impossibility that will poison our minds with groundless optimism.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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March 26, 2026 The MyPillow founder and right-wing politico has been sued numerous times for pushing unsubstantiated claims about alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Kern recently founded the Hoosier Enquirer, an independent news website that has leveled unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud against Sweeney Bell.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfounded. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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