1
as in logical
according to the rules of logic
even a well-founded argument can lead to an erroneous conclusion if one of the premises is incorrect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
a well-founded complaint about the business's treatment of its customers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of well-founded
That certainty proved well-founded.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026
The next few weeks will show if that confidence is well-founded.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Their concern—well-founded—is that college has become an increasingly expensive pathway to success.
—Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
These fears are well-founded, as authorities have previously executed many protesters following grossly unfair trials, while many others remain on death row.
—Hamid Kashani, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
His concern now seems well-founded.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
In the settlement agreement, Ceratizit neither admits liability nor concedes that the government’s claims are well-founded.
—Desiree Mathurin
december 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
And that uncertainty may be well-founded, because according to The Athletic national baseball writer and former MLB general manager Jim Bowden, there's another All-Star second baseman in the division who could make sense for New York.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
That fear was probably well-founded.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026
The next few weeks will show if that confidence is well-founded.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Their concern—well-founded—is that college has become an increasingly expensive pathway to success.
—Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
These fears are well-founded, as authorities have previously executed many protesters following grossly unfair trials, while many others remain on death row.
—Hamid Kashani, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
His concern now seems well-founded.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
In the settlement agreement, Ceratizit neither admits liability nor concedes that the government’s claims are well-founded.
—Desiree Mathurin
december 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
And that uncertainty may be well-founded, because according to The Athletic national baseball writer and former MLB general manager Jim Bowden, there's another All-Star second baseman in the division who could make sense for New York.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
That fear was probably well-founded.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-founded
Adjective
-
This means a single physical qubit can contribute to multiple logical qubits, significantly improving overall efficiency and reducing hardware demands.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
-
If that scenario sounds familiar, a greenhouse might be your next logical move.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Marlins under this owner have no reasonable way out of this rut of building on the cheap toward a future that never gets here.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 27,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Claims against the bank of negligent failure to prevent physical harm and reasonable care as a banking institution, and aiding and abetting trafficking violations in the initial complaint, were dismissed by Rakoff in mid-February.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The waiver will remain valid for up to three years, but Licata plans to pursue his Texas certification before that, Geren said.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The remaining provisions of these Official Rules will continue to be valid and enforceable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If more teams have lottery access and the worst teams don’t gain much by being the worst, then more franchises can justify late-season losing as a rational move.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Condemning Israel for its treatment of Palestinian dreams and aspirations is a rational choice.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Big horizons meet daily realities as the instinctive Moon explores your pensive 9th house and squares Jupiter in your sensible 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Scientifically speaking, the most sensible thing is to conduct further research to investigate the extent to which a factor such as gender influences efficacy and whether there may be other influencing factors.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The task of Survivor story producers and editors requires making tough choices in order to condense 26 days of content into 13 episodes while telling a coherent story about the handful of players who make it to the end.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Far from exhibiting a coherent or consistent set of values, carnival has been co-opted by—and used to promote the philosophies of—various movements, from the Protestant Reformation to National Socialism.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This Iran war was neither justified nor necessary.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The Ivorian’s fall was less pronounced than Cunha’s but no less justified, but no foul was given.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Well-founded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-founded. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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