undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü How to pronounce undue (audio)
-ˈdyü
Synonyms of unduenext
1
: not due : not yet payable
2
: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness : more than is reasonable or necessary : excessive
undue force

Examples of undue in a Sentence

These requirements shouldn't cause you any undue hardship. His writing is elegant without calling undue attention to itself.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Staffers crouched with towels on the baseline spent an undue portion of the night sprinting to various corners of the United Center court, mopping up sweat off the hardwood after players from both teams had tumbled and tripped and sprawled onto the floor. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 The Declaration of Independence was meant to signal the rejection of tyranny and the empowerment of the individual to resist undue coercion. Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026 This doctrine is used by defendants to argue that a plaintiff waited too long, and without a good excuse, to act and that the delay causes undue prejudice to the defendants. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Democrats framed the proposals as necessary to preserve the free market against large monopolies that have undue power to set prices — including by harvesting user data — and to force out competition. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undue

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undue was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Undue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undue. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

undue

adjective
un·​due ˌən-ˈd(y)ü How to pronounce undue (audio)
1
: not due
2
: excessive
undue profit

Legal Definition

undue

adjective
1
: not due : not yet payable
an undue bill
2
: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness
would impose undue hardship on the debtors
such a requirement would place an undue burden on employers

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