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disproportionate
/ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃənət/
too large or small in comparison
The punishment was disproportionate to the crime.
The penalty was excessively harsh compared to the offense committed.
formal
Too large or too small in comparison with something else; not in correct proportion.
There is a disproportionate amount of waste in this process.
The amount of waste is excessively high relative to the output.
Often used to criticize unfairness or inefficiency.
Law
formal
Not in correct proportion to the whole or to other parts.
The court ruled the fine was disproportionate.
The legal penalty was deemed excessively severe for the violation.
Common in legal contexts regarding penalties and rights.
formal
Unequal in distribution or impact relative to a group's size or status.
The policy had a disproportionate impact on low-income families.
The policy affected low-income families much more severely than others.
Used in social sciences to describe inequality.
Collocations
disproportionate amountan excessively large quantitydisproportionate impactan unequal effect on a specific groupdisproportionate responsea reaction that is too strong for the situationgrossly disproportionateextremely out of balance
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Preposition Usage
Always use 'to' after disproportionate when comparing two things (e.g., 'disproportionate to the effort'), not 'with' or 'for'.
Gold Rule
Formality Check
Avoid using 'disproportionate' in casual texting or slang; it sounds stiff and overly academic in informal contexts.
Word Origin
From Latin 'dis-' (apart, away) + 'proportio' (proportion). Entered English in the late 16th century.
Usage Notes
This is a formal adjective. In casual speech, people might say 'too much' or 'unfair,' but 'disproportionate' is preferred in academic, legal, and professional writing. It is often followed by the preposition 'to' (e.g., disproportionate to the risk).
Word Breakdown
dis-
not, opposite of
prefixproportion
the relationship of size or amount between things
root-ate
adjective suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary