unreasonable
adjective
un·rea·son·able
ˌən-ˈrēz-nə-bəl,
-ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-bəl
1
a
: not governed by or acting according to reason
unreasonable people
b
: not conformable to reason : absurd
unreasonable beliefs
2
a
: exceeding the bounds of reason, appropriateness, or moderation
working under unreasonable pressure
an unreasonable restraint of trade
b
: lacking justification
an unreasonable inference
Examples of unreasonable in a Sentence
I told him that I wouldn't pay unless he sent me a replacement. Am I being unreasonable?
You are entitled to compensation for unreasonable delays.
Recent Examples on the Web
The resolution also references the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition of unreasonable search and seizure.
—
Amelia Pak-Harvey, IndyStar, 14 Jan. 2026
As thousands of medical caregivers walked off the job Monday in what became the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history, officials at a major hospital accused the nurses’ union of making unreasonable demands — including protections for nurses who come to work drunk or high.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Importantly, the president already has full legal authority to impose tariffs when other nations’ behavior places an unreasonable burden on our economy, including through environmental negligence.
—Chip Lamarca, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
The logic was that Spirit had projected the league would grow at a rate that the league itself found unreasonable, and so would not be able to field a team while also paying Rodman.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unreasonable
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.
Amelia Pak-Harvey, IndyStar, 14 Jan. 2026
As thousands of medical caregivers walked off the job Monday in what became the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history, officials at a major hospital accused the nurses’ union of making unreasonable demands — including protections for nurses who come to work drunk or high.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Importantly, the president already has full legal authority to impose tariffs when other nations’ behavior places an unreasonable burden on our economy, including through environmental negligence.
—Chip Lamarca, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
The logic was that Spirit had projected the league would grow at a rate that the league itself found unreasonable, and so would not be able to field a team while also paying Rodman.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unreasonable
Cite this Entry
“Unreasonable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unreasonable. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
unreasonable
adjective
un·rea·son·able
: not reasonable : beyond what can be accepted: as
a
: clearly inappropriate, excessive, or harmful in degree or kind
an unreasonable delay
an unreasonable restraint of trade
b
: lacking justification in fact or circumstance
an unreasonable inference
c
: not supported by a warrant or by a valid exception to a warrant requirement (as when there is reasonable suspicion) and therefore unconstitutional
the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated—U.S. Constitution amend. IV
see also search, seizure
U.S. Constitution amend. IV
unreasonableness
noun
unreasonably
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
