commensurate

adjective com·men·su·rate \ kə-ˈmen(t)s-rət , -ˈmen(t)sh- ; -ˈmen(t)-sə- , -shə- \

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

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commensurately

adverb

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commensuration

play \kə-ˌmen(t)-sə-ˈrā-shən, -shə-\ noun

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Examples of commensurate in a Sentence

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
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
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
… athletes are rewarded commensurate with their fame, not their intrinsic talent … —Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 21 Dec. l987
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

While delving into this market to foster diversity, the fashion industry must realize that representation is not commensurate with equality, especially for women.

— jihane hajby, Allure, "Why We Need to Discuss The Hijab in Western Fashion," 20 Aug. 2017
When white coworkers ask awkward questions or make awkward statements about race and all there is to do is respond with commensurate awkwardness.

— jenae holloway, Glamour, "10 Times I Saw Me on HBO's 'Insecure'," 7 Aug. 2017
Pay us an amount that's commensurate with my experience.

— suzanna lantana, Country Living, "9 Things All Babysitters Want Parents to Know," 27 July 2017
Mike Zunino has spent the better part of the last three years trying to find a swing and an approach at the plate that will yield results that are commensurate with his talent.

— ryan divish, The Seattle Times, "Mariners catcher Mike Zunino making progressing in cleaning up some minor defensive issues," 25 July 2017
But the sophistication of the giant squid’s visual brain may not be commensurate with its basketball-sized peepers, according to a paper published Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

— steph yin, New York Times, "Giant Squids, Giant Eyes, but Rather Small Brain Lobes," 19 July 2017
The researchers tested 500 texts by Hay and a commensurate random sample from texts from the much larger body of work known to be by Lincoln.

— lily rothman, Time, "A Century-Old Abraham Lincoln Mystery May Finally Have an Answer," 19 July 2017
The district is required to treat the teachers the same way as local hires, offering commensurate pay and equal benefits based on the contract with the teachers’ union.

— richard chang, sacbee, "Sacramento district can’t find enough teachers, so it turns to Philippines for help," 16 July 2017
In ways conscious and not, veterans like these carry themselves in a way commensurate with the demands of a more competitive team.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "Grades: George Hill, Zach Randolph Help Kings Inch Closer To Respectability," 6 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1641

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