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
: exceeding the bounds of reason or moderation
working under unreasonable pressure
Synonyms
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 agency also warned states for having unreasonable barriers to accessing help, such as long hold times on helplines.
—
Aaron Bolton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
The most severe infractions were: LMPD uses excessive force
LMPD conducts searches based on invalid warrants, and the department executes search warrants without knocking and announcing
LMPD’s street enforcement violates the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 15 Apr. 2024
But since the start of the pandemic, Americans have seen average prices increase more than 20% overall — giving people a sense that the cost of many goods and services, not to mention housing, has surged to unreasonable levels.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The file contains several disciplinary actions along with use-of-force incidents, including one deemed unreasonable.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The unreasonable effectiveness of randomness led him to think about the nature of randomness itself.
—Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
That bill, which would protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases and require landlords to offer lease renewals, has been fiercely opposed by landlords.
—Claire Fahy, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Customers shouldn't have to pay unreasonable prices for quality bamboo bed sheets.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Since September, more than 500 owners have filed complaints accusing the automakers of taking an unreasonable amount of time to make repairs, a review of NHTSA records shows.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
Aaron Bolton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024
The most severe infractions were: LMPD uses excessive force
LMPD conducts searches based on invalid warrants, and the department executes search warrants without knocking and announcing
LMPD’s street enforcement violates the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 15 Apr. 2024
But since the start of the pandemic, Americans have seen average prices increase more than 20% overall — giving people a sense that the cost of many goods and services, not to mention housing, has surged to unreasonable levels.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The file contains several disciplinary actions along with use-of-force incidents, including one deemed unreasonable.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The unreasonable effectiveness of randomness led him to think about the nature of randomness itself.
—Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
That bill, which would protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases and require landlords to offer lease renewals, has been fiercely opposed by landlords.
—Claire Fahy, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Customers shouldn't have to pay unreasonable prices for quality bamboo bed sheets.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Since September, more than 500 owners have filed complaints accusing the automakers of taking an unreasonable amount of time to make repairs, a review of NHTSA records shows.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unreasonable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unreasonable
Cite this Entry
“Unreasonable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unreasonable. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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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