an unwarranted

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unwarranted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is not justified or lacking a good reason. Example: "The criticism he received was an unwarranted attack on his character." Alternative expressions include "an unjustified" and "an unmerited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is an unwarranted fear," Shostak says.

The Guardian

Individualism gives authority figures an unwarranted sense of arrogance.

Independent

As for the wicked, they were obtaining an unwarranted respite.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Critics call it an unwarranted expansion of executive branch authority.

The New York Times

She added that it was an "unwarranted and censorious move".

The Guardian

"And if nothing else sells, he'll be in an unwarranted expensive apartment".

The New York Times

In court his administration's lawyers referred to public opposition as simply "an unwarranted burden".

The New York Times

They accused the defense of seeking to gain "an unwarranted windfall" from an honest mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

And all of a sudden he took an unwarranted turn — im- pulsive, convulsive.

The New York Times

Some producers will grumble that any regulation of fracking is an unwarranted constraint on their business.

The Economist

China sees this as an unwarranted outside interference in regional affairs and an attempt at containment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with nouns that describe reactions or interventions, such as "intrusion", "attack", "fear" or "interference".

Common error

Avoid using "an unwarranted" when you simply mean that something is not desired. While something unwarranted is often unwanted, the term specifically implies a lack of justification or authorization. For example, a surprise gift might be unwanted but it is rarely described as unwarranted unless it violates a specific rule or boundary.

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, "an unwarranted" serves as an adjectival modifier, typically preceding a noun to indicate that the following concept lacks a valid basis, authorization or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms that the use of the indefinite article "an" is required because the adjective "unwarranted" begins with a vowel sound.

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unwarranted" is a highly effective and grammatically sound phrase for expressing that an action lacks a valid foundation. Ludwig AI data demonstrates its versatility across elite journalistic and academic domains, where it often modifies nouns like "intrusion", "attack" or "expansion". By utilizing this phrase, writers can convey a sense of authority and formal disapproval without appearing overly emotional. It remains a staple in professional English for calling out groundless assumptions or excessive use of power, provided the writer distinguishes it from its simpler cousin, "unwanted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unjustified

Focuses more on the lack of a moral or logical defense for an action.

an unmerited

Suggests that something was not earned or deserved by the recipient.

a groundless

Similar to baseless, often used for fears, rumors or legal claims.

a baseless

Stronger emphasis on the complete lack of factual evidence or foundation.

an uncalled-for

Slightly more informal, used to describe behavior that is rude or unnecessary.

a gratuitous

Describes something done without good reason or for no purpose, often used for violence or insults.

an unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of sound judgment or fairness.

a disproportionate

Describes a reaction or action that is too large in relation to the cause.

an excessive

Focuses on the quantity or degree of the action being beyond what is reasonable.

an unauthorized

A more literal interpretation, meaning lacking official permission.

FAQs

How do I use "an unwarranted" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that lacks a good reason, such as: "The search of his property was <a href="/s/an+unwarranted" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unwarranted invasion of his privacy".

What is the difference between "an unwarranted" and "an unjustified"?

While very similar, <a href="/s/an+unjustified" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unjustified often implies a lack of moral or logical reason, whereas "an unwarranted" specifically suggests that there is no 'warrant' or formal authority for the action.

What can I say instead of "an unwarranted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like <a href="/s/uncalled+for" target="_blank" rel="alternative">uncalled for, <a href="/s/baseless" target="_blank" rel="alternative">baseless or <a href="/s/unreasonable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">unreasonable.

Is it "a unwarranted" or "an unwarranted"?

The correct form is "an unwarranted" because the word unwarranted starts with a vowel sound. Using "a" would be grammatically incorrect.