exorbitant fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'exorbitant fee' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a fee that is unreasonably high or out of proportion with the service or product being provided. For example, "The lawyer charged an exorbitant fee for the brief consultation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I paid the guy an exorbitant fee.

The New York Times

Our families, should they choose to accept, can pay an exorbitant fee to attend.

The New York Times

The doctor then demanded an exorbitant fee for the medical report.

The New York Times

CHEAP DATE Remember when asking someone out didn't involve your computer or an exorbitant fee?

The New York Times

Cost was the barrier to entry, and the exorbitant fee was out of the family budget.

The Guardian - Sport

She finally resorts to prostitution to raise the money to pay an exorbitant fee for a fake identity card.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It aims to slow the raging growth of health care costs by, among other things, using the government's Medicare leverage to move doctors away from exorbitant fee-for-service medicine, with its incentive to pile on unnecessary procedures.

The New York Times

Letting agents can be just as bad, charging exorbitant fees.

The Guardian

It has cut some of its exorbitant fees and harshly imposed penalty charges.

The Economist

It is the middlemen insurance companies and labs that charge exorbitant fees for their services.

The New York Times

A 2012 report by Consumer Reports criticized prepaid cards over exorbitant fees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exorbitant fee", ensure the context clearly indicates why the fee is considered excessive, providing specific details or comparisons to justify the claim. For example, "The consultant charged an exorbitant fee for a service that could have been performed in-house at a fraction of the cost."

Common error

Avoid using "exorbitant fee" without providing context or evidence to support the claim. Simply stating a fee is exorbitant without explaining why can weaken your argument and make it seem subjective rather than objective. Always clarify what makes the fee unreasonable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exorbitant fee" functions as a noun phrase, where "exorbitant" modifies the noun "fee". It describes a fee that is excessively high. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exorbitant fee" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an unreasonably high charge. As noted by Ludwig AI, this term is perfectly acceptable in English writing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, its purpose is to criticize or disapprove of unfair pricing. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to justify why the fee is considered excessive. Alternatives like "excessive charge" or "inflated price" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive charge

Focuses on the amount being more than what is deemed acceptable or reasonable.

inflated price

Emphasizes that the price has been artificially increased beyond its true value.

unreasonable cost

Highlights the lack of justification for the high price.

prohibitive rate

Indicates the price is so high it prevents people from being able to afford it.

sky-high price

Uses a figurative expression to denote a very high price.

steep price

Suggests the price is high and possibly unfair.

onerous fee

Highlights the burdensome nature of the fee.

outrageous price

Expresses a strong feeling of shock and indignation at the price.

exaggerated charge

Suggests the charge is an overstatement of the actual value or service.

unconscionable fee

Implicates the fee is so excessive it violates one's moral compass.

FAQs

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

You can use "exorbitant fee" to describe a charge that is unreasonably high. For instance, "The hospital charged an "exorbitant fee" for a simple procedure", or "The lawyer demanded an "exorbitant fee" for handling the case".

What can I say instead of "exorbitant fee"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive charge", "inflated price", or "unreasonable cost" depending on the context.

What makes a fee "exorbitant"?

A fee is considered "exorbitant" when it is unreasonably high and disproportionate to the service or product provided. This often implies the fee is unfair or exploitative.

Is there a legal definition of "exorbitant fee"?

While there isn't a single, universally accepted legal definition, the concept of an "exorbitant fee" often arises in legal contexts related to consumer protection, contract law, and usury. Courts may examine whether a fee is unconscionable or violates fair trade practices.