disproportionate

adjective

dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət 

: being out of proportion

a disproportionate share

disproportionately adverb

Examples of disproportionate in a Sentence

He believes that middle-class people bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden.

A disproportionate number of the students are poor.

Recent Examples on the Web

But that trend may be shifting, and the effect on airlines, lodgings and tour operators may be disproportionate, as high-income travelers typically spend more and travel farther. —Aishwarya Jain, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

However, past tariffs have not been nearly as steep, and several of the affected companies told the WSJ that the levies feel disproportionate. —Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025

What’s more, actions such as the disproportionate use of force through missiles launched at poor boatmen in the Caribbean violate international human rights treaties. —Gustavo Petro, Time, 9 Nov. 2025

Social media influencers played a disproportionate role in them. —W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin disprōportiōnātus, past participle of disprōportiōnāre "to make out of proportion," from Latin dis- dis- + Medieval Latin prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions" — more at proportion entry 2

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disproportionate

• extortionate
• proportionate

Kids Definition

disproportionate

adjective

dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət 

-ˈpȯr-

: being out of proportion

disproportionately adverb