unfounded

/ʌnˈfaʊndɪd/ (bre, ipa) · [ənfˈaʊndɪd] /ʌnˈfaʊndɪd/ (ame, ipa) · [ənfˈaʊndɪd] /ˌən-ˈfau̇n-dəd How to pronounce unfounded (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unfounded — 形容詞

  • unfoundedpositive
  • more unfoundedcomparative
  • most unfoundedsuperlative

1. describing a claim, accusation, fear, or worry that is not supported by any real

1.形容詞B2
釋義

沒有根據的

指說法、擔憂等缺乏事實或理性基礎

describing a claim, accusation, fear, or worry that is not supported by any real evidence or logical reason, and is therefore likely to be untrue or unnecessary.

例句

The newspaper's claim that the mayor had accepted bribes was completely unfounded.

那家報紙聲稱市長收受賄賂的說法完全沒有根據。

unfounded claim — most common noun collocation

Mei-Lin's fear about losing her job proved entirely unfounded when she received a promotion.

Mei-Lin 原本擔心會失去工作，但後來獲得升遷，證明她的恐懼根本沒有根據。

prove + unfounded — common verb collocation

同義詞
  • groundless

    very similar meaning; slightly less common in formal writing

  • baseless

    common in legal and journalistic contexts; interchangeable in most cases

  • unsubstantiated

    more formal; emphasises the lack of supporting evidence rather than the lack of factual basis

反義詞
  • well-founded

    direct opposite; based on solid evidence or reasoning

  • substantiated

    formal opposite; supported by proof or evidence

文法句型

BE + unfounded

prove + unfounded

unfounded + NOUN (claim/accusation/rumour/fear)

用法筆記

Most commonly used in formal contexts such as news reports, legal statements, and official announcements. Typical noun collocates include claim, accusation, allegation, rumour, fear, concern, and speculation. This word already implies that something is false, so adding 'and false' after it is redundant.

常見錯誤

❌His success was unfounded.
✅His success was not deserved / based on luck.
💡unfounded applies to claims, fears, accusations, and beliefs, not to people or positive outcomes.
❌The rumour is unfounded and false.
✅The rumour is unfounded.
💡unfounded already means the rumour is not based on fact, so 'and false' adds nothing.