unbegründet
unfounded
ohne guten Grund oder ohne klare Beweise; nicht gut erklärt oder nicht richtig gestützt
Definition & meaning
Unbegründet means unfounded, groundless, or unjustified. It describes a claim, suspicion, fear, or decision that lacks sufficient evidence or a valid reason.
Depending on context, it can mean:
- Not supported by evidence: an unfounded accusation or suspicion.
- Not justified by good reasons: an unjustified decision or criticism.
Grammar & Word origin
Unbegründet is an adjective. It is formed from un-, a prefix expressing negation, and begründet, the past participle of the verb begründen (“to justify” or “to provide a reason for”).
Its adjective endings change according to the noun and grammatical context.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- grundlos — “without reason”; often emphasizes that there is no apparent cause.
- haltlos — “baseless” or “unsupported”; often used for claims or accusations that have no solid basis.
- unbelegt — “unsubstantiated”; specifically emphasizes a lack of supporting evidence.
- nicht gerechtfertigt — “not justified”; emphasizes that a decision or action lacks adequate justification.
Antonyms:
- begründet — “well-founded” or “supported by reasons”; the direct opposite.
- gerechtfertigt — “justified”; appropriate when an action, decision, or criticism has a valid reason.
- fundiert — “well-grounded”; emphasizes a solid basis, often in evidence or expertise.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Ihre Angst ist unbegründet.adjective
Her fear is unfounded.
Die unbegründeten Vorwürfe haben die Stimmung schnell verschlechtert.adjective
The unfounded accusations quickly worsened the mood.
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