unfounded

[uhn-foun-did] / ʌnˈfaʊn dɪd /

ADJECTIVE

not based on fact

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baseless deceptive fabricated false gratuitous groundless illogical misleading spurious unjustified unproven unsubstantiated untrue untruthful unwarranted

WEAK

fallacious foundationless idle mendacious off-base trumped-up uncalled-for unreal vain without basis without foundation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

called-for correct genuine honest justified real reasonable right true truthful warranted

WEAK

founded proven substantiated supported

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the surface, that faith would appear entirely unfounded.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

The warrants have yet to be released, but they are expected to provide the first glimpse into the contested court documents related to the allegations of fraud — claims that officials say are unfounded.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

But instead of quelling the speculation, the video fueled a new wave of unfounded theories.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The attention on her and her family had included scandalous and unfounded accusations, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

He was soon wading oftener than he was walking, but the thick, soft mud felt good to his feet, and he wandered aimlessly on, trying to make himself believe that his suspicions were unfounded.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Vocabulary lists containing unfounded

Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

"Laws are not the only way to boost immunization”: an editorial from Nature

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!