unfounded suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfounded suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a suspicion that lacks evidence or justification. Example: "The detective dismissed the unfounded suspicion against the suspect, as there was no concrete evidence to support it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As in the original, the dramatic events get going when Leo freaks out in unfounded suspicion that his wife has been sleeping with his best friend, Xen (Polixenes).

Independent

Jos?anuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, the E.U. executive agency, said the decision "should reassure investors by either lifting unfounded suspicion or by dealing with remaining problems that may exist".

The New York Times

Indeed, I have a nagging, if possibly unfounded, suspicion that his primary motivation in buying the Post is to protect Amazon's interests in the political battle, which is sure to come, over the company's monopolistic tendencies.

The New Yorker

These so-called prodromal symptoms include mild hallucinations, such as hearing your name in the wind, or a sudden, unfounded suspicion that your friends are talking about you behind your back.

Science Magazine

If Zimmerman witnessed a crime or a life in danger, or had a reasonable basis to believe a crime was being committed, then perhaps he would have the right under Jewish law to follow Martin since he would be entering a dangerous situation for a good faith reason -- not on unfounded suspicion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The blank canvas is often painted with unfounded suspicions.

The Economist

He recalled how Japanese-Americans were scapegoated and stereotyped and became the target of unfounded suspicions.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think they're unfounded suspicions because the U.S. won't play games with Iraqi oil".

The New York Times

But critics fear it may become a vehicle for spreading unfounded suspicions of abuse.

The Guardian

Bolivia's foreign minister, David Choquehuanca, said the refusals stemmed from "unfounded suspicions that Mr. Snowden was on the plane".

The New York Times

Unfounded suspicions Although for every real insider trade there is probably a multitude of unfounded suspicions, there is still enough smoke to suggest that a smouldering fire of market abuse really does exist.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "unfounded suspicion" with phrases that emphasize investigation or refutation, such as "cleared of unfounded suspicion" or "investigation revealed the suspicion was unfounded".

Common error

Even though an "unfounded suspicion" lacks evidence, it can still cause significant damage to reputations and relationships. Be mindful of the impact of even baseless accusations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfounded suspicion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unfounded" modifies the noun "suspicion". This indicates that the suspicion lacks a factual basis. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfounded suspicion" is a phrase used to describe a suspicion that lacks any factual basis or justification. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While not overly common, it appears in a variety of contexts including news media, and scientific writings, indicating a neutral register. Consider "baseless suspicion" or "groundless suspicion" as alternatives. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context and be mindful of the potential harm that even baseless accusations can cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baseless suspicion

Replaces "unfounded" with "baseless", emphasizing the lack of any foundation or support for the suspicion.

groundless suspicion

Uses "groundless" instead of "unfounded", conveying a similar meaning of lacking a valid reason or basis.

unjustified suspicion

Substitutes "unfounded" with "unjustified", focusing on the lack of fairness or reason in the suspicion.

unwarranted suspicion

Replaces "unfounded" with "unwarranted", highlighting that the suspicion is not deserved or justified by the circumstances.

unsubstantiated suspicion

Uses "unsubstantiated" in place of "unfounded", emphasizing the absence of evidence to support the suspicion.

ill-founded suspicion

A more formal alternative to "unfounded", highlighting the lack of a solid basis.

idle suspicion

Replaces "unfounded" with "idle", suggesting the suspicion is trivial or without serious purpose.

empty suspicion

Uses "empty" instead of "unfounded", conveying that the suspicion lacks substance or real content.

false suspicion

Substitutes "unfounded" with "false", indicating the suspicion is incorrect or based on wrong information.

mistaken suspicion

Replaces "unfounded" with "mistaken", suggesting the suspicion is based on a misunderstanding or error.

FAQs

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

You can use "unfounded suspicion" to describe a situation where someone is suspected without any good reason. For example, "The investigation was launched based on "unfounded suspicion" and lacked any real evidence."

What's a good alternative to "unfounded suspicion"?

Alternatives include "baseless suspicion", "groundless suspicion", or "unjustified suspicion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "unfounded suspicion" or "unfounded suspicions"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "unfounded suspicion" is generally used when referring to a general sense of mistrust, while "unfounded suspicions" refers to multiple specific instances of baseless mistrust.

What is the difference between "unfounded suspicion" and "reasonable suspicion"?

"Unfounded suspicion" implies there is no logical or factual basis for the suspicion, while "reasonable suspicion" suggests there are specific and articulable facts that lead a reasonable person to suspect wrongdoing.