unduly

adverb

un·​du·​ly ˌən-ˈdü-lē 

-ˈdyü-

: in an undue manner : excessively

an unduly harsh punishment

unduly sensitive

Synonyms

• devilishly
• excessively
• exorbitantly
• inordinately
• intolerably
• monstrously
• overly
• overmuch
• too
• unacceptably

Examples of unduly in a Sentence

taxes that unduly burden homeowners

The punishment was unduly harsh.

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, McCall wasn’t unduly worried that his dad Andy hadn’t shown up at the Belle Vue along with the other family and friends. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025

There’s a distinction between grappling with reality, however, and indulging unduly in cynicism. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Cruise contracts are designed this way to prioritize safety, allowing the captain to make decisions without being unduly influenced by financial consequences. —David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

If the connections go widely unacknowledged, that’s only because Hess’s body of work has been unduly ignored by most critics, let alone viewers. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unduly

• bernoulli
• lazuli
• unruly
• cooley
• coolly
• cooly
• coulee
• cruelly
• duly
• hooley
• muley
• newly

Kids Definition

unduly

adverb

un·​du·​ly ˌən-ˈd(y)ü-lē 

ˈən-

: in an undue manner

especially : excessively

unduly upset

Legal Definition

unduly

adverb

un·​du·​ly ˌən-ˈdü-lē, -ˈdyü- 

: in an undue manner : to an excessive degree

unduly influenced the testator