unsupported

/ˌʌnsəˈpɔːtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · [ənsəpˈɔrtɪd] /ˌʌnsəˈpɔːrtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · [ənsəpˈɔrtɪd] /ˌən-sə-ˈpȯr-təd How to pronounce unsupported (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unsupported — adjective

  • unsupportedpositive
  • more unsupportedcomparative
  • most unsupportedsuperlative

1. not shown to be true because no facts, proof, or other evidence back it up

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not shown to be true because no facts, proof, or other evidence back it up

例句

The report repeated an unsupported claim about the mayor's bank account.

collocation: unsupported claim / allegation

After one blurry photo, social media filled with unsupported rumors.

同義詞
  • unproven

    focuses on something that has not yet been demonstrated as true

  • unsubstantiated

    more formal and often used in legal or official contexts

  • baseless

    stronger and more judgmental; suggests the claim has no real foundation at all

反義詞
  • proven

    shown to be true with clear evidence

  • substantiated

    supported by facts, documents, or testimony

文法句型

unsupported + claim / allegation / rumor

be + unsupported

用法筆記

Most common with nouns such as claim, accusation, allegation, rumor, and theory. It is especially frequent in journalism, academic writing, and official statements where the speaker is pointing out that evidence is missing.

常見錯誤

The plan is unsupported' (when meaning nobody likes it).
The plan is unpopular.
💡In this sense, 'unsupported' means there is no evidence for a statement, not that people dislike it.

2. not receiving the practical, emotional, or financial help that a person, group,

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not receiving the practical, emotional, or financial help that a person, group, or activity needs

例句

Mizuki felt unsupported when her team ignored every request for advice.

feel + unsupported

Without childcare, many unsupported parents had to leave the course.

同義詞
  • abandoned

    stronger; suggests people were left alone or neglected completely

  • underfunded

    more specific to money rather than emotional or practical backing

  • isolated

    emphasizes being alone rather than not receiving support

反義詞
  • supported

    receiving the help, backing, or resources needed

  • backed

    stresses active approval or financial support from others

  • encouraged

    focuses on emotional confidence rather than broad support

文法句型

feel + unsupported

remain + unsupported

be left + unsupported

unsupported by + person / institution

用法筆記

Often follows verbs such as 'feel', 'remain', and 'be left'. It can describe people, services, or projects that are missing backing, money, practical help, or encouragement, and it is frequently followed by 'by' when the absent helper is named.

常見錯誤

Her opinion was unsupported' (when meaning no one stood by her).
She felt unsupported when no one stood by her.
💡Use this sense for a person or activity lacking backing, not for a statement lacking evidence.

3. not held in position by anything underneath or beside it, so it must bear its ow

3.形容詞C1
釋義

not held in position by anything underneath or beside it, so it must bear its own weight

例句

The unsupported shelf bent after Tunde stacked three heavy boxes on it.

unsupported + shelf / beam / edge

A ladder can slip if one side is left unsupported on wet tiles.

同義詞
  • unbraced

    more technical; stresses that no brace is keeping something stable

  • freestanding

    can be neutral or positive when something is designed to stand alone

  • hanging free

    describes something suspended without extra support, often in physical scenes

反義詞
  • supported

    held up safely by another structure or object

  • braced

    kept firm with added structural support

  • reinforced

    made stronger so that it can carry weight more safely

文法句型

unsupported + beam / shelf / edge

stand + unsupported

hang + unsupported

用法筆記

Common in building, safety, and engineering contexts. It often describes beams, ladders, shelves, body parts, or edges that would normally need a wall, brace, platform, or another structure to hold them steady.

常見錯誤

The beam unsupportedly hung over the door.
The beam hung unsupported over the door.
💡'Unsupported' is an adjective, so use it after the verb, not as an adverb.