unwarranted

USAGE SUMMARY

"unwarranted" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which means "not justified or supported by good reason." For example, you could say: "The police officer's use of force was unwarranted given the nature of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These cuts are unwarranted, short-sighted, and come on top of years of tight budgets in the public sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

The newspaper group has since set up a £12m compensation fund for hacking victims and last month printed an apology in its three papers for "an unwarranted and unacceptable intrusion into people's private lives".

The Guardian

Erdos said that data protection can cover "simply privacy intrusion" and that on that basis it might be necessary to consider that notifying sites, which might then retaliate by putting up new content about people, "would cause them unwarranted damage and/or distress".

The Guardian - Tech

While a strong GDP number on Wednesday may prompt warnings that the ECB's quantitative easing is unwarranted, or at least too large, economists note there are plenty more clouds on the eurozone horizon.

The Guardian - Business

Neither would it name any inspection that had initially been found to be flawed, saying to do so would "place unwarranted uncertainty" on the validity of the final verdict in such cases.

The Guardian

A senior Labour MP I spoke to during the Eastleigh ballot said that making benefits dependant on contributions would allow Britain to curb unwarranted demands on the hard-pressed state in the same way that other EU states manage.

The Guardian

It's difficult to say that perception is unwarranted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dermot Murnaghan will eschew a black tie in the lead role for Sky News; producers decided he should be "soberly dressed" but a black tie was unwarranted because the ceremony is not a state funeral.

The Guardian

Moreover, Congress has at its disposal other, more powerful constitutionally specified remedies for unwarranted executive tinkering: lawmakers may pass a new law, withhold the funding necessary for implementation, or impeach the president.Is the lawsuit then "political theatre", as many contend?

The Economist

It subjects Bolivian cargo to unwarranted inspections, for example.

The Economist

Until now, Japan has had formal security ties only with America, under whose protection Japan, with a pacifist constitution, has sat since the second world war.Even if it falls well short of a mutual-defence treaty, to some Australians the agreement signed by John Howard in Tokyo on March 13th is unwarranted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unwarranted", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the action or feeling is not justified. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "unwarranted" in situations where the issue is merely inconvenient or slightly bothersome. Reserve it for cases where the lack of justification is significant and potentially harmful or unfair.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unwarranted" primarily functions as a modifier, describing nouns by indicating that they lack justification or are without reasonable basis. It serves to express disapproval or disagreement with the modified noun. According to Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unwarranted" is a versatile adjective used to express that something lacks justification or is without reasonable basis. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian highlights its widespread acceptance. While synonyms like "unjustified" and "groundless" offer alternative phrasing, "unwarranted" provides a strong and direct way to convey disapproval or disagreement, and can be applied to news, business and science in a neutral way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjustified

This alternative directly conveys the lack of justification, emphasizing fairness and ethical considerations.

unjustifiable

Similar to "unjustified", but carries a stronger connotation of being indefensible or impossible to excuse.

groundless

Focuses on the absence of a solid foundation or basis for something.

baseless

Like "groundless", it stresses the lack of factual support or evidence.

unfounded

Highlights that something is not based on truth or reality.

gratuitous

Suggests that something is excessive, unnecessary, and often unwelcome.

uncalled for

Implies that something was inappropriate or impolite in the given situation.

undeserved

Focuses on the lack of merit or entitlement for something received.

unreasonable

Indicates that something is not logical or sensible.

inappropriate

Highlights that something is not suitable or fitting for a particular context.

FAQs

How can I use "unwarranted" in a sentence?

You can use "unwarranted" to describe actions, feelings, or claims that lack justification or evidence. For example, "The criticism was "unwarranted" given the team's overall performance."

What can I say instead of "unwarranted"?

You can use alternatives like "unjustified", "groundless", or "baseless" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'completely unwarranted'?

Yes, saying 'completely "unwarranted"' is grammatically correct and emphasizes the total lack of justification.

What's the difference between "unwarranted" and "unnecessary"?

"Unwarranted" implies a lack of justification, while "unnecessary" suggests that something is not needed. An action can be both, but they focus on different aspects.