disproportion

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noun dis·pro·por·tion \ ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-shən \

Definition of disproportion

:lack of proportion, symmetry, or proper relation :disparity; also :an instance of such disparity

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disproportional

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See disproportion defined for English-language learners

See disproportion defined for kids

Examples of disproportion in a Sentence

His salary is in disproportion to what people who have similar jobs earn.

Recent Examples of disproportion from the Web

Over the history of Tasers in Chicago, their use has been marked by the same racial disparity seen in other elements of policing in the city, as cops have inflicted shocks in vast disproportion to African-Americans in poor and violent areas.

— dan hinkel, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago cops get more Tasers, but red flags remain," 25 Aug. 2017
The disproportion between their personal feelings and the wanton destruction of real estate and innocent life is both comical and horrific, and also oddly persuasive.

— kathryn shattuck, New York Times, "What’s on TV Tuesday: ‘Colossal’ and ‘Frontline: Life on Parole’," 18 July 2017
Thereby whites can even feel a little less guilty about racism, disproportions of wealth, and the homeless.

— norman mailer, Daily Intelligencer, "Black and White Justice," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disproportion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of disproportion

1555

disproportion

verb

Definition of disproportion

transitive verb

:to make out of proportion :mismatch

First Known Use of disproportion

1593

DISPROPORTION Defined for English Language Learners

disproportion

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noun

Definition of disproportion for English Language Learners

: a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or expected

DISPROPORTION Defined for Kids

disproportion

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noun dis·pro·por·tion \ ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-shən \

Definition of disproportion for Students

:a marked difference in the size, number, or amount of something as compared to another thing There is a disproportion of boys to girls in the class.