Meaning & use

disproportionate

adjective·Academic

Too large, small, or severe when compared to what would be fair, usual, or expected.

See it in a sentence

Critics said the fine was disproportionate to the company's minor violation.

The disaster had a disproportionate effect on the region's poorest families.

A note on using this word

Disproportionate is typically followed by "to" when comparing two things, as in "disproportionate to the effort involved."

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

proportionatebalanced

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