completely unwarranted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely unwarranted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is entirely unjustified or not based on any valid reason. Example: "The criticism he received was completely unwarranted, as he had followed all the necessary protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

And his optimism is not completely unwarranted.

The New York Times

"We strongly disagree," it said, accusing Moody's of being "arbitrary", "backward-looking" and "completely unwarranted".

The Economist

"There is no evidence of fraud, and any allegations of fraud are completely unwarranted".

The New York Times

Yes, at one point you reached over the Starbucks counter and gave that poor barista a completely unwarranted nipple-twist.

The New Yorker

"The way in which this situation was handled seems to us to have been completely unwarranted," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Indeed, your attack on Amnesty International surprising and completely unwarranted, especially as some would say that even NGOs like Amnesty International are not doing enough for human rights.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Such a conclusion is entirely unwarranted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And they were not entirely unwarranted.

The New York Times - Arts

My behaviour was totally unwarranted.

Vice

His assertion that his organization's "experts" and the Army Corps of Engineers predict damage to the South Shore in the event of a barrier island breach is based on completely unverified and unwarranted speculation.

The New York Times

When the story of the video broke, Lt Col Jean-Marc Menichini, of the French gendarmerie, denied that investigators had found mobile phone footage at the crash site, telling CNN the reports were "completely wrong" and "unwarranted".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completely unwarranted", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the lack of justification or basis for the action or statement being described. The stronger the context, the more impactful the phrase becomes.

Common error

Avoid using "completely unwarranted" when describing purely subjective opinions or preferences. This phrase is most effective when addressing objective facts or actions that can be demonstrably shown to lack justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely unwarranted" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that something lacks justification or basis. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where actions or claims are seen as entirely without merit, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely unwarranted" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe something as entirely unjustified. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its primary function is to express strong disagreement or disapproval, often found in news and media contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral in register, it is most effective when used in situations where the lack of justification is clear and demonstrable. Remember to avoid overuse in purely subjective contexts and to leverage the strength of the phrase by providing ample evidence of the lack of warrant. Ludwig's examples highlight the various ways this phrase can be employed to convey a sense of strong opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely unjustified

Replaces "unwarranted" with "unjustified", emphasizing the lack of fairness or reason.

totally groundless

Substitutes "unwarranted" with "groundless", highlighting the absence of any factual basis.

utterly baseless

Replaces "unwarranted" with "baseless", stressing the complete lack of foundation or support.

wholly uncalled for

Uses "uncalled for" instead of "unwarranted", focusing on the inappropriateness or unnecessary nature of something.

absolutely indefensible

Replaces "unwarranted" with "indefensible", indicating that something cannot be justified or defended.

thoroughly unreasonable

Substitutes "unwarranted" with "unreasonable", emphasizing the lack of logic or reason.

patently illegitimate

Uses "illegitimate" instead of "unwarranted", highlighting that something is not in accordance with accepted standards or rules.

plainly unjustified

Replaces "completely unwarranted" with "plainly unjustified", making it more direct and easier to understand.

decidedly excessive

Replaces "unwarranted" with "excessive", focusing on the immoderate or disproportionate nature of something.

quite superfluous

Uses "superfluous" instead of "unwarranted", implying that something is unnecessary or redundant.

FAQs

How can I use "completely unwarranted" in a sentence?

You can use "completely unwarranted" to describe something that is entirely unjustified or lacks any valid basis. For example, "The criticism he received was "completely unwarranted", as he had followed all the guidelines".

What are some alternatives to "completely unwarranted"?

Some alternatives to "completely unwarranted" include "entirely unjustified", "totally groundless", or "utterly baseless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "unwarranted" or "completely unwarranted"?

Both "unwarranted" and "completely unwarranted" are correct. "Completely unwarranted" simply emphasizes the total lack of justification, making it a stronger statement. Use it when you want to stress that something is absolutely without merit.

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

"Unwarranted" generally means lacking justification or authorization, while "unjustified" suggests a lack of moral or ethical basis. While they are often interchangeable, "unjustified" can carry a stronger connotation of moral wrongness. "Entirely unjustified" is a good alternative.