unfounded fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'unfounded fear' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a fear that has no substantial evidence or reasonable cause to back it up. Example: She had an unfounded fear that the small clearing was haunted, despite no proof.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The deficit isn't the only unfounded fear.

The New York Times

This is clearly not an unfounded fear.

The Guardian - Books

Some of the reasons are doubtless ugly (sheer envy) or unfounded (fear of exposing one's children to moral corruption).

The New York Times

Could it be because of pressure from activist groups, whose agendas are based on unfounded fear, not science?

The New York Times

Appearing on "Meet the Press," Mr. Bloomberg expressed exasperation at what he characterized as political inaction motivated by an unfounded fear of the power of the gun lobby.

The New York Times

Africa Check says that claims about a "white genocide," for instance, "creates or entrenches existing racial divisions and perpetuates an unfounded fear and hatred of other races".

The Economist

The unfounded fear of GMOs – born out of confusion about what DNA, genes, or GMOs even are – has had a dramatic and powerful impact on popular opinion and public policy.

Harvard University

Even a UDP spokesman puts the party's approval rating at less than 20%.Meanwhile America is expressing frustration at what it sees as its ally's unfounded fear of its beef.

The Economist

But Senate President Richard J. Codey, a Democrat from Essex, said that the furor surrounding gay marriage was based on the same type of unfounded fear of the unknown that was used to justify discrimination against women and racial minorities.

The New York Times

"This trial clearly undermines the Bush administration's unfounded fear that terrorists cannot -- in their view -- be tried in our criminal courts," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Supermarkets need to promote evidence not unfounded fears.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, acknowledge "unfounded fears" but then logically dismantle them with evidence-based arguments.

Common error

Avoid dismissing legitimate concerns as "unfounded fear" without proper investigation, as this can erode trust and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfounded fear" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "unfounded" modifies the noun "fear", indicating a fear that lacks a solid basis. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfounded fear" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a fear lacking a reasonable basis. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to characterize a sense of apprehension while simultaneously questioning its validity. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various communication contexts. Related phrases include "baseless apprehension" and "groundless anxiety". To use the phrase effectively, focus on backing up claims that a fear is "unfounded" with solid evidence. Conversely, avoid using it to dismiss genuine concerns without proper investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baseless apprehension

Focuses on the lack of foundation for the apprehension.

groundless anxiety

Highlights the absence of grounds or reasons for the anxiety.

unwarranted worry

Emphasizes that the worry is not justified or deserved.

unjustified dread

Indicates that the dread lacks a fair or legitimate reason.

unsubstantiated fear

Stresses the lack of evidence or proof for the fear.

idle terror

Suggests the terror is pointless and without real cause.

imaginary fear

Highlights that the fear exists only in the imagination.

chimerical dread

Implies the dread is illusory or fantastical.

false alarm

Highlights the incorrectness of the perceived danger that is generating the fear.

specious anxiety

Indicates that the anxiety appears to be valid but is actually false.

FAQs

How can I use "unfounded fear" in a sentence?

You can use "unfounded fear" to describe a fear that lacks a reasonable basis in reality. For example: "The community's reaction was driven by an unfounded fear of the new technology".

What's the difference between "unfounded fear" and "rational fear"?

"Unfounded fear" refers to a fear without a logical or evidentiary basis, while "rational fear" is based on real or probable danger.

What are some synonyms for "unfounded fear"?

Alternatives include "baseless apprehension", "groundless anxiety", or "unwarranted worry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe someone else's fear as "unfounded"?

While technically correct if the fear lacks a basis, labeling someone's fear as "unfounded" can be dismissive. Consider rephrasing to address the underlying concerns with factual information.