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well-founded

well-founded

10 4.2
Having good evidence or clear reasons for something people think is true
  • adjective
  • /ˌwɛlˈfaʊndɪd/
translation icon : fundado
  • Her concerns about the project's feasibility are well-founded, as recent studies indicate significant challenges.
  • well-founded fear
  • well-founded fear of persecution
  • well-founded concern

Most survivors of narcissistic abuse feel guilty when they experience anger, no matter how righteous and well founded their anger is.

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Examples

  • Your fear is well founded.

  • Their fears, I must say, were well-founded, given her nature and her family background.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Your faith is well founded.

  • The importance granted to the press in Mexican politics is well-founded, both for practical and political reasons.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The study of sex differences is controversial for a number of well-founded reasons.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Their ideals will clash with well-founded concerns about national security.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Since working with her again, Bosch had found his earlier impressions were well-founded.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The conclusion that flows from it is equally well-founded: without faith, no one can enter into a valid sacramental marriage.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Considering the results of previous efforts to repeal the state's restrictions, this concession is well-founded.

    Academic text (2010)
  • On the other hand, the Founders' skepticism about the reliability of the militia proved well-founded.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

to rooted in
vswell-founded
67 3.9

To come from something earlier and be strongly connected to it

focuses on support by evidence and reasoning rather than origin
tenable
vswell-founded
  • Formal
5 7.1

Has good reasons or evidence that stand up to criticism

is more firmly supported by positive evidence, not merely defensible
well-grounded
vswell-founded
3 4.4

Having good reasons or evidence that support the idea

is supported by sound evidence and reasoning rather than only logic
proven
vswell-founded
1 3.2

Shown by facts to be true and to work well

is supported by good reasons even when absolute proof may be absent
grounded
vswell-founded
4.2

Based on solid facts or clear evidence

is about being backed by evidence and careful reasoning rather than realism alone
established
vswell-founded
4.2

Known and accepted because it has existed for a long time

depends on current evidence and sound reasoning rather than tradition alone

Antonyms

46 5.6

No facts or proof support it

29 5.0

Has no facts or good reasons to support it

How Well-Founded

well-founded
10 4.2
plausible
129 7.2
dubious
90 6.5
unfounded
46 5.6

Surface Forms

well-founded positive

Morphology

well-founded = founded (transparent) = well + founded

Meaning is directly composed from 'well' (in a good way) + 'founded' (having a basis), yielding 'supported by good evidence'.

Etymology

The word well-founded puts together well ('good' or 'properly') and found from foundation, which means a 'base' or 'ground'. Think of a house with a strong foundation: a well-founded belief or claim stands because it has good evidence.