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

Sophie — who is married to King Charles' youngest brother, Prince Edward — has made the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls a focus of her royal work. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Europe’s regulatory environment and environmental standards could also pose a disproportionate burden for local farmers adherent to the laws, farmers have said. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Jan. 2026

In South, Southwest and West Side communities that account for a disproportionate share of gun violence, CVI organizations have served thousands of high-risk individuals with life coaching, trauma treatment, education and job training. —Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

When algorithmic decisions appear opaque, even marginal errors can provoke disproportionate distrust. —Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026

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