adjective
disproportionate
dihs-pruh-PAW-shuh-nuht
adjective
1
Too large or too small compared to what is normal, fair, or expected.
"The punishment seemed disproportionate to the crime."
"A disproportionate number of complaints came from just one region."
How to Use Disproportionate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOut of balance in size, amount, or degree compared to what would be reasonable.
Common pairings
disproportionate impact
disproportionately affected
disproportionate response
Word Forms
more disproportionate comparative, disproportionated past tense, disproportionates singular, most disproportionate superlative
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Etymology
From dis- + proportionate, marking the opposite of being in proportion.