commensurate

adjective

com·​men·​su·​rate kə-ˈmen(t)s-rət How to pronounce commensurate (audio)
-ˈmen(t)sh-;
-ˈmen(t)-sə-,
-shə-
1
: corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate
was given a job commensurate with her abilities
2
: equal in measure or extent : coextensive
lived a life commensurate with the early years of the republic
3
commensurately adverb
commensuration noun

Did you know?

Commensurate comes from the Latin word for the act of measuring, mensūra. That noun is based on mensus, the past participle of the verb mētīrī," meaning "to determine the extent of."

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
… athletes are rewarded commensurate with their fame, not their intrinsic talent … Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 21 Dec. 1987
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
Her new position came with a commensurate level of responsibility. was given a job commensurate with her abilities and experience
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.
The administration has defended the cuts as a necessary efficiency measure, arguing that health outcomes have not improved commensurate with the agency's funding levels. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025 Some people are proposing additional tax cuts without commensurate spending cuts. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025 There are expected to be roughly 15 to 25 media members at each game the rest of the way, depending on the opponent, commensurate with the last few seasons when the team played in Oakland, a team official said. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025 The not-so-grand finale of Reacher’s third season opens with a gun battle that leaves an entire ATF Special Response Team dead, along with a commensurate number of henchmen that Quinn flew in from somewhere. Chris Klimek, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commensurate

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of commensurate was in 1641

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Cite this Entry

“Commensurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commensurate. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

commensurate

adjective
com·​men·​su·​rate kə-ˈmen(t)s-(ə-)rət How to pronounce commensurate (audio)
-ˈmench-(ə-)rət
1
: equal in measure or extent
2
: proportional sense 1
an income commensurate with one's needs
commensurately adverb
commensuration noun

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