Looking up...
unreliable source
/ˌʌnɹɪˈlaɪəbəl sɔɹs/
source lacking credibility
The article cited an unreliable source claiming the moon is made of cheese.
The article referenced a source that could not be trusted, as its claims were false.
formal
A source that provides inaccurate, biased, or unverified information
Wikipedia warns readers to avoid unreliable sources like personal blogs when citing facts.
Wikipedia advises against using unverified sources such as personal blogs for factual references.
Often used in academic writing, journalism, and fact-checking contexts to caution against misinformation.
formal
A person or entity whose statements or data cannot be trusted due to inconsistency or dishonesty
The journalist was criticized for quoting an unreliable source in the breaking news segment.
The journalist faced backlash for including a statement from a person whose credibility was questionable.
Common in discussions about media ethics and the spread of fake news.
Collocations
avoid unreliable sourcesuse only trustworthy referencesflag as unreliablemark as untrustworthyunreliable source of informationa source that spreads false or misleading data
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Evaluate sources critically
Check the author's credentials, publication date, and whether the source cites verifiable evidence. Avoid relying on anonymous or biased sources.
Gold Rule
The CRAAP Test
Use the CRAAP criteria (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) to assess the reliability of any source before using it in research or reporting.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'unreliable' (from 'un-' meaning 'not' + 'reliable,' derived from 'rely' + '-able') and 'source' (from Old French 'sorce,' meaning 'spring or fountain,' metaphorically extended to mean 'origin of information'). The compound emerged in the late 20th century with the rise of digital media and the need to evaluate information credibility.
Usage Notes
The term is commonly used in academic research, journalism, and digital literacy education to emphasize the importance of verifying information. It is often paired with phrases like 'fact-check' or 'cross-reference' to highlight the need for corroboration.
Word Breakdown
unreliable
not dependable or trustworthy
adjective (prefix + root)source
a person or thing supplying information
nounEnglish Dictionary