exorbitant burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exorbitant burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a demand or responsibility that is excessively heavy or unreasonable. Example: "The new regulations imposed an exorbitant burden on small businesses, making it difficult for them to operate efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For reasons related to the safety of Treasury bonds and trade strategies by countries like China, our currency gained value during the crisis.This is a manifestation of what Michael Pettis calls America's "exorbitant burden".

The Economist

And the way she relieved this exorbitant burden, in the 22nd, served not only to gladden hearts – under many different flags – but also as a magnificent reproof to any offensive insinuation that three Olympic silvers could ever qualify anyone as a serial loser.

Independent

These episodes place an exorbitant burden on health care systems and lead to similarly high patient mortality.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The suit, filed in federal court, claims that the city's fee is so exorbitant that it "impermissibly burdens the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms," and the suit argues that because city residents are forced to pay more than others, the fee also violates the 14th Amendment's equal-protection clause.

The New York Times

It was in this ferment that Occupy forged its next project: Rolling Jubilee, a plan to buy anonymous medical debt, thus offering relief to Americans burdened by exorbitant healthcare costs.

Vice

Despite the tax burden, despite the exorbitant rents, financial firms all crowd atop one another in the center of the city.

The Economist

Radiologists often have a hard time classifying mammography mass lesions which leads to unnecessary breast biopsies to remove suspicions and this ends up adding exorbitant expenses to an already burdened patient and health care system.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Romantic commitment seems to represent burden and drudgery, from the exorbitant costs of buying property in Japan to the uncertain expectations of a spouse and in-laws.

The Guardian

They are often exploited by unscrupulous recruitment agencies whose exorbitant fees mean they start work with heavy burdens of high-interest debt, or by employers who withhold workers' passports and don't bother abiding by health and safety laws.

BBC

As beauty contests for so-called third-generation, or 3G, wireless licenses turned ugly and telecommunications stocks plunged in in 2001, the commission hinted that it could extend the lengths of the licenses to ease the financial burden on the companies that had paid exorbitant amounts for them.

The New York Times

ArchCity's conclusion is stark: these practices "destroy the public's confidence in the justice system and its component parts, impose heavy burdens financially and otherwise on the most burdened subset of the population, and cost the municipalities exorbitant amounts of money and human capital". .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exorbitant burden", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being burdened and why it is considered excessive. Quantifying the burden, if possible, can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "exorbitant burden" for situations that are merely inconvenient or challenging. Reserve it for scenarios where the burden is genuinely excessive and creates significant hardship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exorbitant burden" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "exorbitant" modifies the noun "burden". This intensifies the meaning, suggesting an extremely heavy or excessive load. Ludwig confirms this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exorbitant burden" is a valid and grammatically sound expression used to describe a demand or responsibility that is excessively heavy or unreasonable. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's perfectly usable in written English. While examples are relatively rare, its use spans across news, media, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, consider whether alternatives like "excessive strain" or "undue hardship" might better capture the specific nuance you intend to convey, and be sure the context demonstrates a significant level of difficulty caused by what you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive strain

Focuses on the pressure aspect rather than the financial or quantitative excess.

unreasonable demand

Highlights the unfairness or inappropriateness of the requirement.

undue hardship

Emphasizes the difficulty and suffering caused.

onerous responsibility

Stresses the burdensome nature of the obligation.

crippling cost

Specifically refers to financial burden that severely impacts.

crushing weight

Emphasizes the psychological impact and sense of being overwhelmed.

heavy toll

Highlights the negative consequences or damage inflicted.

prohibitive expense

Focuses on the cost aspect, indicating something is too expensive to bear.

massive obligation

Indicates a large and compelling requirement.

intolerable pressure

Focuses on stress and lack of capacity to withstand.

FAQs

How can I use "exorbitant burden" in a sentence?

You can use "exorbitant burden" to describe something that creates a heavy, unreasonable demand or responsibility, such as "The new regulations imposed an "exorbitant burden" on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "exorbitant burden"?

Consider using alternatives like "excessive strain", "undue hardship", or "crushing weight" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "exorbitant burden" or "excessive burden"?

Both "exorbitant burden" and "excessive burden" are grammatically correct, but "exorbitant" implies a greater degree of excess, often relating to cost or quantity, while "excessive" is a more general term.

In what contexts is "exorbitant burden" most appropriately used?

"Exorbitant burden" is most appropriately used in contexts where a demand, responsibility, or cost is perceived as unreasonably high or difficult to bear, such as in discussions of economic policy, healthcare, or legal obligations.