unfounded

adjective

un·​found·​ed ˌən-ˈfau̇n-dəd How to pronounce unfounded (audio)
: lacking a sound basis : groundless, unwarranted
an unfounded accusation

Examples of unfounded in a Sentence

the accusation proved to be unfounded
Recent Examples on the Web And there were several incidents that the university determined to be unfounded, without evidence the initial report was false. Ben Finley, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 The fact that so few were ready has much to do with continuing doubts about alternative solutions, which are not entirely unfounded. Evgeny Popov, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Sam Ricketts never responded to the offer, instead choosing to seek out an undeserved and lucrative payout through this unfounded legal battle. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 14 Feb. 2024 But Bow’s success also came with a dark side, leading biographers and gossip columnists to spin unfounded rumors about her, fed by cinematic images of her dancing on tables and drinking to excess. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024 The sponsors of the bill said those claims are unfounded. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Feb. 2024 Video of her comments has been shared on social media, pushing the unfounded claim that water seeding was to blame for the storms. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 Powell and Wood were among a group of lawyers allied with former President Donald Trump who pushed unfounded claims about the 2020 election in courts in key battleground states. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2024 This perception is not unfounded, as FAR covers a wide breadth of accounting knowledge, requiring a deep knowledge of complex concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to various scenarios. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfounded was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near unfounded

Cite this Entry

“Unfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfounded. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unfounded

adjective
un·​found·​ed ˌən-ˈfau̇n-dəd How to pronounce unfounded (audio)
ˈən-
: lacking a sound base : groundless
unfounded suspicions

More from Merriam-Webster on unfounded

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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