disproportionate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disproportionate" is a perfectly acceptable and widely used word in written English.
It is an adjective that means not in proportion or not corresponding in size or degree. For example, you could use the sentence "The amount of suffering caused by poverty is disproportionate to the amount of attention it receives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another example is the disproportionate suspicion given to and police targeting of black men in tracksuits, whereas their white counterparts are more likely to be seen as joggers.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is wholly disproportionate and ripe for challenge.

The Guardian

I think that a child does not feel the sublime because a child need not, perhaps cannot, confront the limitations of his or her language – language, for a child, is already miraculous, supple, generous in its association, tragic, hilarious, disproportionate and huge.

The Guardian - Books

It is disproportionate, ugly and tragic and will not do Israel any good in the long run".

The Guardian

The disproportionate power of the executive to stifle debate is a widely recognised shortcoming of the Dáil, most starkly illustrated by Kenny's recent refusal to permit a free vote among his party colleagues on the contentious matter of abortion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such antiquated policy in the treatment of our neighbours stands in disproportionate contrast to the "unintended" incursions of naval ships, armed to the teeth with every piece of radar and satellite equipment under the sun, who have suffered no cost or damage as a result of their action.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Electoral Reform Society has branded the 2015 general election the "most disproportionate in British history" after it published an analysis showing Ukip could have won as many as 80 MPs and the Greens 20 under other systems.

The Guardian

One of the peer's major points of concern has been David Cameron's refusal to say that Israeli action in Gaza has been "disproportionate" like he did when the country launched an incursion into Lebanon in 2006.

The Guardian

"I think for me it's morally indefensible where after four weeks of a conflict more than a quarter of the Gazan population displaced, more than 2,000 people killed, more than 400 innocent children killed, we still cannot find the words to say, we condemn this and we feel this action has been disproportionate.

The Guardian

The Vienna-based press freedom watchdog, the International Press Institute IPII) thinks the legal claims are disproportionate.

The Guardian

To call the Telegraph's response disproportionate is to do a disservice to the adjective.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disproportionate", ensure you clearly state what the imbalance relates to. For example, "The punishment was disproportionate to the crime."

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionate" without clearly specifying the cause or reference point of the imbalance. Vague usage can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disproportionate" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is not in proportion or lacks a proper relationship in size, degree, or distribution. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "disproportionate" is a commonly used term to describe something not in proportion, lacking balance or proper relation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it is observed frequently in news media, business, and scientific contexts. When using this word, ensure that the cause of the imbalance is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as ""out of proportion"" or ""unequal"" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of proportion

Emphasizes a lack of balance or symmetry, similar to "disproportionate".

unequal

Focuses on the lack of equality in distribution or size.

imbalanced

Highlights the lack of equilibrium or evenness.

excessive

Suggests an amount or degree that is too high or unreasonable.

inordinate

Implies an amount or degree that is unusually large or excessive.

undue

Suggests something is inappropriately or unjustifiably large or significant.

unwarranted

Highlights the lack of justification for the size or degree.

skewed

Indicates a deviation from what is considered normal or balanced.

lopsided

Describes something that is uneven or unbalanced, often in a visual sense.

unjustifiable

Emphasizes that something cannot be defended or supported due to its excessive nature.

FAQs

How can I use "disproportionate" in a sentence?

You can use "disproportionate" to describe something that is out of proportion or not corresponding in size or degree. For example: "The amount of suffering caused by poverty is "disproportionate" to the amount of attention it receives."

What words can I use instead of "disproportionate"?

Alternatives to "disproportionate" include "out of proportion", "unequal", or "imbalanced", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "disproportionate impact"?

Yes, "disproportionate impact" is a common and correct phrase used to describe a situation where a particular group or thing is affected to a greater extent than others.

What's the difference between "disproportionate" and "unequal"?

"Disproportionate" emphasizes a lack of balance or proper ratio, while "unequal" simply indicates a lack of equality in size, amount, or value. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the imbalance or the inequality.