undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü

1

: not due : not yet payable

2

: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness : more than is reasonable or necessary : excessive

undue force

Synonyms of undue

• excessive
• extreme
• steep

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

But Ukraine does not have long-range weapons that are precise and reliable enough to hit Russian airports without posing an undue risk to civilians, the official said. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

However, federal rules restrict recovery in some circumstances, such as when there is a surviving spouse or a surviving child who is under 21, blind or disabled, and states must have procedures for undue-hardship waivers. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Voluntary surrender, conversely, allows direct reporting, saving taxpayer money and avoiding undue hardship for defendants and their families. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

At every turn, Marissa blames herself for Milo’s disappearance, as do others, and Peter lets her bear that undue weight for most of the series without explaining his part in any of it. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈd(y)ü 

1

: not due

2

: excessive

undue profit

Legal Definition

undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü, -ˈdyü 

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