Meaning & use
unwarranted
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Having no good reason or justification, so that it goes beyond what is fair or needed.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: unwarranted criticism; the fear was unwarranted.
Patterns
- an unwarranted attack on someone
- unwarranted by something
The coach's anger seemed unwarranted after such a small mistake.
She faced unwarranted criticism from people who knew nothing about the case.
The use of force was unwarranted.
adjectivenot comparablelegal
Done without proper permission or authority, especially by an official.
Grammar: Often in legal or official contexts: an unwarranted search.
Patterns
- unwarranted intrusion into something
The court ruled that the search was an unwarranted intrusion into his privacy.
Unwarranted access to patient records is against the rules.
The residents complained of unwarranted interference by the council.
Common combinations
- unwarranted criticism
- The player endured unwarranted criticism from the fans.
- unwarranted assumption
- It is an unwarranted assumption that all teenagers are lazy.
- unwarranted intrusion
- The photographers were an unwarranted intrusion into her grief.
- unwarranted fear
- His fear of flying was unwarranted, given the safety record.
- entirely unwarranted
- The suspicion was entirely unwarranted.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unjustified
- Unjustified is the closest everyday match, though unwarranted often suggests the action went beyond what the situation called for.
- uncalled-for
- Uncalled-for is more informal and is typically used for rude remarks.
- groundless
- Groundless means having no basis in fact, so it fits fears and rumors but not forceful actions.
- gratuitous
- Gratuitous implies something done for no reason and often unpleasant, such as gratuitous violence, which is harsher than unwarranted.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: unwarranted or unwanted?
unwarranted vs unwanted
Unwanted means not wished for, while unwarranted means not justified; an unwanted gift may be perfectly reasonable, but an unwarranted accusation is not.
Practice
The tenant said the landlord's sudden visit was an ______ intrusion, since no notice had been given.
Choose one answer.
Unwarranted means without proper justification or authority, which fits an uninvited visit with no notice. Unwanted only says it was not wished for, which is weaker and misses the justification point.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unwarranted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.