unscientific
Not based evidence
Unscientific describes methods, claims, or reasoning that fail to follow scientific principles—lacking rigor, evidence, or systematic observation.
An unscientific study might draw conclusions from anecdotes rather than controlled experiments: His unscientific approach to nutrition relied on fads rather than research.
The word often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting something is unreliable or intellectually sloppy.
Baseless belief in omens
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- crystal healingTherapeutic use of gemstones
numerology · quackery · snake oil · folk remedy · old wives' tale · flat earth · anti-vax · creationism
Conclusions drawn without proof
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
supposition · guesstimate · theorizing · surmise · presumption · extrapolation · speculation · gut feeling
Not correct or precise
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- erroneousContaining factual mistakes
- fallaciousContaining faulty reasoning
- invalidWithout legal force
flawed · faulty · incorrect · inexact · unreliable · sloppy · unsound · uncontrolled
Without supporting evidence
- unfoundedWithout factual support
- baselessLacking factual support
- unprovenNot yet established
- unsupportedLacking backing or proof
spurious · untested · unverified · unvalidated · questionable · dubious · groundless · uncorroborated
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- subjectivityPersonal viewpoint coloring perception
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- dogmatismUnyielding adherence to doctrine
irrationality · preconception · one-sided · cherry-picking · confirmation bias · motivated reasoning · selective · tendentious
superstition
Baseless belief in omens
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
crystal healing · numerology · quackery · snake oil · folk remedy · old wives' tale · flat earth · anti-vax · creationism · alchemy
guesswork
Conclusions drawn without proof
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
assumption · supposition · guesstimate · theorizing · surmise · presumption · extrapolation · speculation · gut feeling · ballpark
inaccurate
Not correct or precise
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- erroneousContaining factual mistakes
- fallaciousContaining faulty reasoning
invalid · flawed · faulty · incorrect · inexact · unreliable · sloppy · unsound · uncontrolled · non-replicable
unsubstantiated
Without supporting evidence
unsupported · spurious · untested · unverified · unvalidated · questionable · dubious · groundless · uncorroborated
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- subjectivityPersonal viewpoint coloring perception
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
dogmatism · irrationality · preconception · one-sided · cherry-picking · confirmation bias · motivated reasoning · selective · tendentious · skewed
unscientificscientific
Of or using research methods
methodical · systematic · rigorous · empirical · evidence-based
unscientificscientific
Of or using research methods
empirical · evidence-based · proven · sound · substantiated