inordinate

USAGE SUMMARY

'inordinate' is a correct word in written English.
It can be used to describe an amount, size, or degree that is greater than is necessary, appropriate, or usual. For example, you could say "He had an inordinate amount of time to prepare for the exam, so he was able to ace it with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, these comments are consistently capturing inordinate numbers of 'recommends', sometimes on the order of 10 to 12 times what pro-Ukrainian comments receive".

The Guardian - Opinion

Plaid Cymru's Westminister leader, Elfyn Llwyd, said he was "very, very concerned about the inordinate delay" and it should be published when it is ready, as long as parliament is sitting, regardless of the election.

The Guardian

I doubt Mrs Clinton's expanding and ever disciplined Iowa staff, which now ritualistically follows every big campaign announcement with a 10-step mail, phone and, yes, door-knocking campaign in Iowa, will either.Back to top >>ThursdayAFTER driving around Iowa for a while, I began to notice that the state had an inordinate number of retail chains with the word "dollar" in their names.

The Economist

Yet those same bosses go to inordinate lengths to delay recognising such supposedly irrelevant, non-cash losses.

The Economist

FOR the sake of a fairy-tale wedding, engaged American couples will take on inordinate debt or forgo buying a house.

The Economist

"AN INORDINATE number of ladies and other visitors occupied the body of the hall to the exclusion of fellows, many of whom, arriving at the hour appointed for the opening of the doors, found the best places already taken," complained a member of the Royal Geographical Society.

The Economist

It is Mr D'Amato's methods notably the act's mandatory sanctions against any foreign company making significant investments in the Iranian and Libyan petroleum industries that pain America's allies and require the administration to spend an inordinate amount of energy coping with their protests.

The Economist

A congressional inquiry found no evidence to support this, though it confirmed that the Brazilian team had agreed to play an inordinate number of "Nike friendlies"—exhibition games that drained the players' energies.However, the congressional inquiry hinted at a different scandal: the destination of the money that Nike paid over.

The Economist

With just $25 billion in the kitty, $16 billion-18 billion in debt and dividend payments due this year, and limited access to new financing because of the lack of audited books, meeting those obligations may require a government bail-out.Tackling these troubles will require inordinate skills.

The Economist

Yet each assumes inordinate significance, because of the fear that China will be aggressive and the suspicion in China that America means to block its rise.

The Economist

Some critics, including the most noted hedge-fund manager of all, George Soros, argue that this structure creates incentives to take inordinate risks, because managers share the upside if the risks pay off but not the downside should the risky strategies fail.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inordinate" when you want to emphasize that something is not just large, but excessively or inappropriately so. It often carries a negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "inordinate" in contexts where you simply mean 'large' or 'significant'. "Inordinate" implies excessiveness and can sound critical if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

Inordinate functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are excessive or beyond reasonable limits. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "inordinate" is used to describe quantities, amounts, or degrees.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inordinate" is an adjective used to describe something that is excessively large or unreasonable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "inordinate", be mindful of its negative connotation, as it implies disapproval or concern about the excess. Alternatives like "excessive" or "undue" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive

Focuses on the quantity being beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

undue

Emphasizes the inappropriateness or unjustified nature of the extent.

disproportionate

Highlights the lack of balance or proper relationship between things.

unreasonable

Indicates that the amount or degree is not logical or justifiable.

exorbitant

Specifically refers to prices or demands that are excessively high.

extravagant

Implies a wasteful or luxurious excess.

immoderate

Suggests a lack of restraint or moderation.

over the top

An informal way of saying something is excessive and inappropriate.

outrageous

Highlights the shocking or unacceptable nature of the excess.

extreme

Indicates the furthest possible degree or amount.

FAQs

How to use "inordinate" in a sentence?

Use "inordinate" to describe something that is excessive or beyond reasonable limits, for example: "The project required an inordinate amount of time and resources."

What can I say instead of "inordinate"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive", "undue", or "disproportionate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inordinate amount" or "ordinate amount"?

"Inordinate amount" is the correct phrase. "Ordinate" alone does not convey the meaning of excessiveness. The word inordinate means excessive.

What's the difference between "inordinate" and "excessive"?

While both imply something beyond the usual or necessary, "inordinate" often suggests a degree of inappropriateness or unreasonableness, whereas "excessive" simply means 'more than necessary'.