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

Female journalists around the world face mounting attacks, both on and offline and are subjected to specific and disproportionate threats, according to UNESCO. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

Black women also report facing disproportionate levels of unfair treatment in health care settings, according to KFF Health News. —Zinhle Essamuah, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025

In markets with small audiences for independent cinema, these decisions can carry disproportionate weight. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025

If Nielsen’s latest batch of usage data goes a long way toward explaining why the NFL is an important part of a balanced TV diet, perhaps nothing illustrates the league’s disproportionate impact than MoffettNathanson’s annual contribution breakdown. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 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