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unfounded

adjective

ˌən-ˈfau̇n-dəd How to pronounce unfounded (audio)
Definition of unfoundednext
as in unreasonable
having no basis in reason or fact the accusation proved to be unfounded

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unfounded Garza wrote in her complaint that the accusations were unfounded and claimed that LeVota refused to show her the email. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Springfield, a small city in southwestern Ohio, became the center of salacious and unfounded rumors about the Haitian community during the 2024 presidential election. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 Kelly said the initial report — a person with a rifle outside a church — is the kind of call that, in his experience, is usually unfounded. — Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 In a way to perhaps poke fun at the unfounded rumors, Lil Yachty posted a photo of what appeared to be a behind-the-scene shot of Ice Spice wearing her fake baby bump. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfounded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfounded
  1. unreasonable
  2. baseless
  3. groundless
  4. unsubstantiated
  5. unwarranted
Adjective
  • The imposition of the tariffs stemmed from a breakdown in negotiations between the two countries in August, with each claiming the other side had unreasonable requests that would be detrimental to their respective country’s workers.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Drop one task that doesn’t need to happen today, and ask for clarification if a deadline feels unreasonable.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of unreasonable
Adjective
  • Enough is enough -- this spread of blatant and baseless falsehoods must stop.
    — Mike Toole, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • At Friday’s hearing, Hearn’s lawyer Levin argued to Edelman that a dismissal with prejudice was required to protect Hearn from being indicted again on baseless charges.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of baseless
Adjective
  • Social media in South Korea have been filled with messages stoking fears about safety on Jeju, with some spreading groundless rumors and deriding the island.
    — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • For Rocha, however, the claims examined in the documentary are groundless — and tiring.
    — Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of groundless
Adjective
  • Some Democrats fear Trump could use those unsubstantiated assertions as a pretext to intervene in November.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Many are leaning into their own unsubstantiated suppositions, even those not backed by evidence.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsubstantiated
Adjective
  • Last year, the panel also made several unwarranted changes to vaccine recommendations, including dropping the universal recommendation for a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine—a move widely decried by medical and health experts.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • At 79, Levy has been pleased to discover that often his discomfort is unwarranted.
    — Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unwarranted

Browse Nearby Words

unfortunately
unfounded
unfree
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfounded. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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