unfounded
Lacking any evidence
Unfounded describes claims, beliefs, or fears that lack any basis in fact or evidence.
An unfounded rumor has nothing to support it; unfounded accusations are made without proof.
The word carries a note of dismissal—to call something unfounded is to suggest it shouldn't be taken seriously.
Her fears about the surgery turned out to be completely unfounded.
Containing factual mistakes
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- fallaciousContaining faulty reasoning
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- inaccurateNot correct or precise
incorrect · untrue · fictitious · fabricated · deceptive · illusory · specious · invalid
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- presumptionBelief held without proof
- suppositionBelief without proof
groundless · unsubstantiated · unsupported · unwarranted · unjustified · unproven · fabrication · guesswork
Informal talk spreading rumors
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
slander · libel · canard · tale · chatter · buzz · allegation · report
Disposition toward doubt
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- incredulityInability to accept something
suspicion · questioning · reservation · qualm · wariness · hesitation · disbelief · dubious
erroneous
Containing factual mistakes
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- fallaciousContaining faulty reasoning
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
inaccurate · incorrect · untrue · fictitious · fabricated · deceptive · illusory · specious · invalid · mistaken
speculation
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- presumptionBelief held without proof
supposition · groundless · unsubstantiated · unsupported · unwarranted · unjustified · unproven · fabrication · guesswork · hypothesis
gossip
Informal talk spreading rumors
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
scuttlebutt · slander · libel · canard · tale · chatter · buzz · allegation · report · story
skepticism
Disposition toward doubt
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
incredulity · suspicion · questioning · reservation · qualm · wariness · hesitation · disbelief · dubious · unverified
- skepticismdoubt, skeptic, doubts, debunker, doubtful
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
- unreal thingsillusion, delusion, fantasy, fiction, imaginary
- off targetoff target, off-target, off the mark, wide of the mark, wide
- unreasonableirrational, absurd, illogical, senseless, ludicrous
unfoundedwell-founded
Having sound basis
substantiated · proven · supported · founded · verified
- unfounded conclusionBelief lacking factual basis