Definition of commensurate
1 : equal in measure or extent : coextensive lived a life commensurate with the early years of the republic
2 : corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate was given a job commensurate with her abilities
3 : commensurable 1
commensurately
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Examples of commensurate in a Sentence
… athletes are rewarded commensurate with their fame, not their intrinsic talent … —Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 21 Dec. l987
Because the effects of tobacco are slow—and iterative—and produce diseases that have other causes and explanations, often later in life, they seldom arouse fear commensurate with their impact. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, (2007) 2009
I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at a commensurate speed. —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
The last of the string family, the double bass, is the largest of all and must be played standing. Because it is seen in jazz bands, it has recently taken on an importance more nearly commensurate with its size. —Aaron Copland, What to Listen for in Music, (1957) 1988
Her new position came with a commensurate level of responsibility.
was given a job commensurate with her abilities and experience
Recent Examples of commensurate from the Web
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Its brevity was commensurate with the effort involved.
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Even some of Todd’s colleagues on the D.C. Council questioned if the fine was commensurate with the violations identified by the city’s election regulator.
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The NASH Next 2017 winner will receive substantial exposure, commensurate with a major label release, on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.
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But the service is commensurate — assured, agreeable and far from stuffy.
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Has there been anything close to a commensurate increase in quality of life here to accompany that rise in energy use?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commensurate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Commensurate is a word that really measures up. And no wonder - it's a descendant of the Latin noun mensura, meaning "measure," from "mensus," past participle of "metiri" ("to measure"). In the first recorded use of "commensurate," which comes from 1641, the adjective was used as a synonym of "coextensive." It didn't take long for "commensurate" to be used to mean "proportionate" as well. Henry James used this sense in The American when he wrote, "The stakes were high and the risk was great; the prize therefore must have been commensurate."
Origin and Etymology of commensurate
Late Latin commensuratus, from Latin com- + Late Latin mensuratus, past participle of mensurare to measure, from Latin mensura measure — more at measure
First Known Use: 1641
COMMENSURATE Defined for English Language Learners
commensurate
playDefinition of commensurate for English Language Learners
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: equal or similar to something in size, amount, or degree
Learn More about commensurate
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for commensurate Spanish Central: Translation of commensurate Nglish: Translation of commensurate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of commensurate for Arabic speakers
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