unsubstantiated

adjective

un·​sub·​stan·​ti·​at·​ed ˌən-səb-ˈstan(t)-shē-ˌā-təd How to pronounce unsubstantiated (audio)
: not proven to be true : not substantiated
an unsubstantiated rumor/report
a plausible but unsubstantiated theory

Examples of unsubstantiated in a Sentence

an unsubstantiated claim that was thrown out of court
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The number of people missing since the July 4 floods in Texas dropped to three this weekend as authorities recovered victims, located those who turned out to be safe, and unmasked a few unsubstantiated or falsified reports, officials said. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025 The Warrens, and later Spera, were fond of recounting a macabre (albeit unsubstantiated) tale about a museum guest who spurned their warnings and taunted Annabelle. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 July 2025 The Federal Trade Commission has been cracking down on false or unsubstantiated marketing around such claims in recent years, forcing some companies to pay thousands, if not millions, of dollars for misleading consumers. Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 11 July 2025 Sullivan criticized the state’s oversight of nursing homes, saying inspectors take too long to respond and find the majority of complaints to be unsubstantiated. Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsubstantiated

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsubstantiated was circa 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Unsubstantiated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsubstantiated. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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