inordinate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​or·​di·​nate in-ˈȯr-də-nət 

-ˈȯrd-nət

1

: exceeding reasonable limits : immoderate

2

archaic : disorderly, unregulated

inordinately adverb

inordinateness noun

inordinateness

2 of 2

noun

in·​or·​di·​nate·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being inordinate : lack of moderation : excess

Did you know?

Although today it describes something that exceeds reasonable limits, inordinate used to be applied to what does not conform to the expected or desired order of things. That sense, synonymous with disorderly and unregulated, is no longer in use, but it offers a hint as to the origins of inordinate. The word traces back to the Latin verb ordinare, meaning “to arrange,” combined with the negating prefix in-. Ordinare is also the ancestor of such English words as coordination, ordain, ordination, and subordinate. The Latin root comes from the noun ordo, meaning “order” or “arrangement,” from which the English word order and its derivatives originate.

Synonyms of inordinate

Adjective

• excessive
• extreme
• steep
• insane
• extravagant

Choose the Right Synonym for inordinate

excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit.

excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Examples of inordinate in a Sentence

Adjective

I waited an inordinate amount of time.

They have had an inordinate number of problems with the schedule.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There's no doubt that the media played an inordinate role in allowing COVID-19 mandates and restrictions to start, expand, and continue well beyond any reasonable justification. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

Families spend an inordinate amount of time navigating systems that should be working together to serve children, but often aren’t. — CNN Money, 18 June 2026

Her job is one that requires inordinate calm. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 June 2026

This year’s gubernatorial contest is not the first time Steyer has spent an inordinate sum seeking office. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English inordinat, from Latin inordinatus, from in- + ordinatus, past participle of ordinare to arrange — more at ordain

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for inordinate

• coordinate
• ordinate
• superordinate

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Kids Definition

inordinate

adjective

in·​or·​di·​nate in-ˈȯrd-ᵊn-ət 

-ˈȯrd-nət

: going beyond reasonable limits : immoderate

an inordinate curiosity

inordinately adverb