disproportionate Definition
- 1out of proportion; too much or too little in relation to something else
- 2not in correct relation or balance
Using disproportionate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "disproportionate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The punishment was disproportionate to the crime.
Example
The amount of work required is disproportionate to the time available.
Example
The company's profits are disproportionate to its size.
disproportionate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for disproportionate
- unbalanced
- unequal
- incommensurate
- excessive
- disproportionate to
Antonyms for disproportionate
Phrases with disproportionate
not in correct relation or balance with something else
Example
The number of staff is disproportionate to the amount of work that needs to be done.
disproportionate response
a response that is too extreme or severe for the situation
Example
The country's military launched a disproportionate response to the minor border incident.
an effect that is too large or too small in relation to the cause
Example
The new policy had a disproportionate impact on low-income families.
Origins of disproportionate
from Latin 'dis-' meaning 'apart' + 'proportio' meaning 'proportion'
Summary: disproportionate in Brief
The term 'disproportionate' [dis-pruh-pawr-shuh-nit] describes something that is out of proportion or not in correct relation or balance. It can refer to an excessive or insufficient amount of something, as in 'The punishment was disproportionate to the crime.' 'Disproportionate' can also be used in phrases like 'disproportionate response,' which means a response that is too extreme or severe for the situation.
