disproportionate

adjective

dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce disproportionate (audio)
: being out of proportion
a disproportionate share
disproportionately adverb

Examples of disproportionate in a Sentence

He believes that middle-class people bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden. A disproportionate number of the students are poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Related Articles For decades, the tobacco industry has targeted people of color, limited-income communities, LGBTQ+ people and youth, causing a disproportionate use of tobacco among these populations. David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 In 2022, justices decided that Medicare enrollees should count toward hospitals' disproportionate share payments even when Medicare wasn't paying the enrollee's bill. Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 Pennsylvania's hesitation reflects a larger national trend: swing states, which currently enjoy disproportionate influence in presidential elections, are resistant to the compact. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Ignoring the lessons of Ruby Ridge and Waco, the Harris Administration uses disproportionate force to deter other states from following suit. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disproportionate 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin disprōportiōnātus, past participle of disprōportiōnāre "to make out of proportion," from Latin dis- dis- + Medieval Latin prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions" — more at proportion entry 2

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disproportionate was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near disproportionate

Cite this Entry

“Disproportionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disproportionate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

disproportionate

adjective
dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce disproportionate (audio)
-ˈpȯr-
: being out of proportion
disproportionately adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!