unreasonable
adjective
un·rea·son·able
ˌən-ˈrēz-nə-bəl,
-ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-bəl
1
a
: not governed by or acting according to reason
unreasonable people
b
: not conformable to reason : absurd
unreasonable beliefs
2
a
: exceeding the bounds of reason, appropriateness, or moderation
working under unreasonable pressure
an unreasonable restraint of trade
b
: lacking justification
an unreasonable inference
Examples of unreasonable in a Sentence
I told him that I wouldn't pay unless he sent me a replacement. Am I being unreasonable?
You are entitled to compensation for unreasonable delays.
Recent Examples on the Web
The confrontation on a suburban street near an elementary school and a middle school on October 31 has now been cited in a lawsuit arguing that federal immigration agents are violating protesters’ First Amendment rights to free speech, using excessive force and making unreasonable seizures.
—
Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
Officers are able to use loitering laws as general warrants to circumvent individuals’ constitutional right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures, Wood said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
The class counsel has argued that objectors are raising either points that were already decided, inappropriate for this forum, or unreasonable to address.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025
According to court documents, the grand jury accused Childers, while acting as sheriff, of using unreasonable and excessive force on several people who were not resisting an arrest or posing a threat, injuring them.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreasonable
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Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
Officers are able to use loitering laws as general warrants to circumvent individuals’ constitutional right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures, Wood said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
The class counsel has argued that objectors are raising either points that were already decided, inappropriate for this forum, or unreasonable to address.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025
According to court documents, the grand jury accused Childers, while acting as sheriff, of using unreasonable and excessive force on several people who were not resisting an arrest or posing a threat, injuring them.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreasonable
Cite this Entry
“Unreasonable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unreasonable. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
unreasonable
adjective
un·rea·son·able
: not reasonable : beyond what can be accepted: as
a
: clearly inappropriate, excessive, or harmful in degree or kind
an unreasonable delay
an unreasonable restraint of trade
b
: lacking justification in fact or circumstance
an unreasonable inference
c
: not supported by a warrant or by a valid exception to a warrant requirement (as when there is reasonable suspicion) and therefore unconstitutional
the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated—U.S. Constitution amend. IV
see also search, seizure
U.S. Constitution amend. IV
unreasonableness
noun
unreasonably
adverb
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