The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BASELESS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
B
A
S
E
L
E
S
S
More clues leading to the result BASELESS
- Bullshit about a tennis player is unfounded
- Dodgy leases in empty buildings with no foundations
- Fish, netting strange eels? Wrong, as a matter of fact
- Unsupported, like a bed with just a mattress?
- Bottom line: census periodically skipped without justification
- Unjustified when beginning to exult in praise
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Wrong, as a matter of fact" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case wrong, as a matter of fact = baseless.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BASELESS mean?
BASELESS adjective- Of reasoning: based on something that is not true, or not based on solid reasons or facts.
- Without a physical base.