undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü How to pronounce undue (audio)
-ˈdyü
1
: not due : not yet payable
2
: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness : 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.
Current and former councilmembers meanwhile said Sheffield brought a rare level of policy focus to her role and that a high-profile agenda an attract undue scrutiny. Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025 To guard against undue optimism that the war in Europe would soon be over, the war correspondents stressed the difficulties that lay ahead. Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 Other economists agreed that inflation is causing undue stress on the country. Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025 For human rights advocates, Johnson’s reluctance to forcefully criticize Bukele at the time was a sign of his undue deference to the Salvadoran leader. T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undue. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on undue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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