Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not physically held up or borne: Lacking any physical support, prop, or structure to bear weight or maintain position.
   • Not sustained by evidence or corroboration: Lacking proof, factual backing, or material aid; often referring to claims, allegations, or arguments.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The unsupported shelf eventually collapsed under the weight of the books. (The shelf lacked a physical bracket or prop.)
  • The journalist was criticized for publishing unsupported allegations about the politician. (The allegations were made without providing evidence.)

Advanced Usage

• "to leave something unsupported": To fail to provide necessary physical or evidential backing.
  • The theory was left unsupported by any experimental data.
• "to stand unsupported": To remain in position without physical aid, or to be asserted without proof.
  • The ancient arch still stands unsupported after centuries.
  • His argument cannot stand unsupported; he needs to cite sources.

Variants and Related Words

• Unsupportable (adj): Incapable of being defended or justified.
  • His behavior was morally unsupportable.
• Support (v/n): The root word meaning to bear weight, back up, or provide evidence for.

Synonyms

• Unsubstantiated: Not supported by evidence.
• Uncorroborated: Not confirmed by other sources or evidence.
• Baseless: Having no foundation in fact.

Antonyms

• Supported: Held up physically or backed by evidence.
• Substantiated: Supported with proof or evidence.
• Corroborated: Confirmed by additional evidence.

Related Phrases

• Unsupported claim/accusation/assertion: A statement made without providing proof.
  • The court dismissed the case due to unsupported claims.
• Unsupported structure: A physical construction lacking adequate supports.
  • The engineers warned that the unsupported bridge was dangerous.

Adjective

1. not held up or borne
   • removal of the central post left the roof unsupported
2. not sustained or maintained by nonmaterial aid
   • unsupported accusations