disproportionate

adjective

dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce disproportionate (audio)
Synonyms of disproportionate
: 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.
Therefore, those in less-populous states have a disproportionate say in the presidential election. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 22 June 2026 Rice said for the holiday, the 82-unit chain sells a disproportionate amount of apparel, particularly polos. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 Council Member Aurin Chowdhury argued that data centers have had disproportionate impacts. — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 25 June 2026 The state has among the highest rates of households spending disproportionate amounts of their income on housing, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 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

Rhymes for disproportionate

See All Rhymes for disproportionate

Browse Nearby Words

disproportional
disproportionate
disproportionated rosin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disproportionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disproportionate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on disproportionate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disproportionate

Nglish: Translation of disproportionate for Spanish Speakers

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