Sorry to say, that expectation was ill-founded.
Source: tatoeba (245255)
Ill-founded
Synonyms for "ill-founded" (18 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (4)
Noun(1 words)
faulty generalization
Strong matches (5)
Related words (9)
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: baseless, empty, faulty generalization, groundless, idle.
- Sentence evidence is available for ill-founded, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "ill-founded".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "ill-founded"
Keep "ill-founded" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "ill-founded" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "ill-founded", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "ill-founded" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Sample sentences
5 total sentences available.
ill-founded criticism
Source: wiktionary
He said, the part of the sentence which stated that the court “having heard the evidence, and maturely and seriously considered the whole, are of opinion that the charge is malicious and ill-founded: […]”
Source: wiktionary
Optimism rose to a third peak in 1846, when the eagerness of investors to take up shares in new companies precipitated a financial panic in which many ill-founded schemes perished.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 5 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "ill-founded"?
Closest matches include baseless, empty, faulty generalization, groundless, idle.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "ill-founded"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.