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unproven

unproven

28 4.9
Not shown to be true or to work
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈpruːvən/
translation icon : no demostrado
  • More important than unproven tactics for increasing family size is immigration.
  • remains unproven
  • unproven technology
  • unproven assumptions

Others are just unproven interpretations or assumptions.

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Examples

  • James Street is raw and unproven.

  • California has unveiled a new and unproven version of its statewide school-testing program.

    Academic text (1992)
  • But this is unproven in my mind.

  • Secondly, we have the unproven nature of this science.

  • And I think this is a completely unproven factor that could account for why women are doing so badly.

  • Although this idea remains unproven, the logic behind it is intriguing.

    Academic text (1998)
  • However, this mode of treatment for bacterial meningitis is of unproven benefit and must be considered experimental.

    Academic text (1995)
  • But this is an unproven assertion, and the U.S. approach to the issue remains inconsistent and underdeveloped.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Managers and other decision-makers must often take gambles in expensive and sometimes unproven technologies to survive in competitive marketplaces.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The safety of these compounds for this purpose is unproven, and they may carry risks.

Synonyms

unfounded
vsunproven
46 5.6

No facts or proof support it

is milder, meaning simply not demonstrated as true or valid
unsubstantiated
vsunproven
38 7.5

Not supported by facts or proof

is about missing demonstration of truth rather than simply lacking support
untested
vsunproven
28 4.6

Not tried before to check if it works

relates specifically to absence of formal demonstration of truth
unconfirmed
vsunproven
  • Literature
20 4.2

Not yet proven to be true or official

focuses more narrowly on missing demonstrated proof or validity
unsupported
vsunproven
9 5.0

Not backed by facts or proof

focuses on the missing formal demonstration of truth or validity
unverified
vsunproven
7 5.3

No one has checked it to see if it is true

emphasizes absence of formal demonstration rather than just investigation
uncorroborated
vsunproven
6 8.1

Not proved by other facts or evidence

refers more broadly to lacking a formal demonstration of truth
unproved
vsunproven
1 6.3

No good evidence shows it is true

is about lacking formal demonstration of truth or validity
unvalidated
vsunproven
1 6.6

Not checked to see if information is correct or safe

stresses that formal demonstration of truth is missing instead
unestablished
vsunproven
1 7.3

Not well known or accepted by many people

centers on lacking a demonstrated proof rather than general recognition
unevidenced
vsunproven
1 8.4

A claim with no facts or proof to show it is true

implies lack of formal proof or demonstration of validity
undemonstrated
vsunproven
7.2

Not proven to be true by tests or studies

is the same idea focused on lack of formal proof
unsustained
vsunproven
7.1

Not supported by facts after checking

highlights absence of proven validity rather than failed support only
unfound
vsunproven
7.2

Not based on facts or evidence

is less strong, focusing on missing demonstration rather than rejection
unattested
vsunproven
  • Formal
8.9

No official source or written record confirms it

is about lack of demonstrated truth rather than missing records
unshored
vsunproven
9.9

Not supported by facts or evidence

is literal about not being demonstrated true or valid

Antonyms

3.4

Shown to be true by clear evidence

validated
  • Formal
4.2

Officially checked and accepted as correct or legal

How Proven

proven
1 3.2
verified
1 3.9
unproven
28 4.9
unsupported
9 5.0

Surface Forms

unproven positive

Morphology

unproven = proven (transparent) = un + proven

The negative prefix 'un-' added to the adjective 'proven' creates the predictable meaning 'not proven'.

Etymology

Unproven combines the prefix un- ('not') and prove ('to show true'), the same root you see in proof. So unproven means 'not shown to be true'.