unwarranted
Lacking valid grounds
Unwarranted means not justified or not called for.
An unwarranted assumption lacks supporting evidence.
Unwarranted criticism is unfair given the circumstances.
The word often describes overreach: unwarranted intrusion, unwarranted interference.
The police search was unwarranted—they had no probable cause.
Something unwarranted may be legal but still inappropriate, or outright illegitimate.
Not rightfully owed
- unmeritedNot rightfully due
- wrongfulWithout legal right
- unfairUnjust or partial
- inequitableNot fair or impartial
arbitrary · unreasonable · illegitimate · indefensible · inappropriate · improper · unearned · without cause
Without factual support
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- groundlessLacking factual support
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- speciousSuperficially plausible but flawed
fabricated · conjectural · erroneous · fallacious · misconceived · misguided · unsupported · unjustifiable
Not properly scaled
- inordinateExceeding proper limits
- immoderateBeyond reasonable bounds
- overkillUnnecessary additional effort
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
superfluous · extravagant · overblown · uncalled-for · gratuitous · overreaching · undue · unreasonable
Not asked for
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
- presumptuousOverstepping appropriate boundaries
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
interfering · impertinent · obtrusive · unbidden · unasked · imposing · invasive · officious
undeserved
Not rightfully owed
inequitable · arbitrary · unreasonable · illegitimate · indefensible · inappropriate · improper · unearned · without cause · unjustifiable
unfounded
Without factual support
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- groundlessLacking factual support
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
specious · fabricated · conjectural · erroneous · fallacious · misconceived · misguided · unsupported · unjustifiable · indefensible
disproportionate
Not properly scaled
- inordinateExceeding proper limits
- immoderateBeyond reasonable bounds
- overkillUnnecessary additional effort
unnecessary · superfluous · extravagant · overblown · uncalled-for · gratuitous · overreaching · undue · unreasonable · extreme
unsolicited
Not asked for
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
- presumptuousOverstepping appropriate boundaries
meddlesome · interfering · impertinent · obtrusive · unbidden · unasked · imposing · invasive · officious · forward
- unreasonableirrational, absurd, illogical, senseless, ludicrous
- nonessentialunnecessary, unneeded, nonessential, inessential, dispensable
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
- unacceptableunacceptable, inappropriate, improper, wrong, forbidden
unwarrantedwarranted
Properly justified or sanctioned
justified · justifiable · well-founded · reasonable · supported
unwarrantednecessary
Indispensable, cannot omit
needed · required · essential · indispensable · imperative
unwarrantedlegitimate
Conforming to accepted standards
legal · authorized · lawful · sanctioned · proper