as in unequal
having or showing a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or expected; too large or too small in relation to something
He believes that middle-class people bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden. A disproportionate number of the students are poor.
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Recent Examples of disproportionate
The vast majority of African nations are net food and fuel importers, meaning higher prices risk having a disproportionate impact on the continent.
—
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
This is especially the case with online degrees that use a disproportionate number of adjunct professors who are paid a flat fee per class.
—James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
The stillness of Laurel Playground reflects the unease that has settled over this stretch of West End, which has endured a disproportionate share of violence.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
The Sabres’ top four defensemen have been handling a disproportionate share of the workload lately.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disproportionate
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
This is especially the case with online degrees that use a disproportionate number of adjunct professors who are paid a flat fee per class.
—James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
The stillness of Laurel Playground reflects the unease that has settled over this stretch of West End, which has endured a disproportionate share of violence.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
The Sabres’ top four defensemen have been handling a disproportionate share of the workload lately.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disproportionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disproportionate
Adjective
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But a Shiite cleric named Ruhollah Khomeini denounced the unequal pact, saying that an American dog in Iran was treated as more valuable than an Iranian citizen — and his criticism helped propel him to leadership of the opposition and ultimately to the Islamic Revolution.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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That example has been criticized by pro-Palestinian and human rights groups who accuse Israel of giving Palestinians who work and live within its borders and in Gaza and the West Bank unequal rights in comparison with Israeli Jews.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Iranians of diverse religious faiths mark Nowruz even though the hard-line Iranian regime has at times discouraged festivities.—
AMY TAXIN,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
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Close to two-thirds of our customers watch content in more than four languages, reflecting the growing appetite for diverse storytelling.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But his distinctive tattoos and fashion sense helped investigators find him — notably, his sweatshirt, his bronze foamposite sneakers, a large gold ring on his left hand and a distinctive tattoo of a globe on his left arm.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
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The plant has distinctive foliage and orange blooms that spike up from the leaves.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Jordan creates two distinct personalities with his main characters.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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While all three properties for the vineyard designate wines are certified organic through CCOF, (California Certified Organic Farmers), winemaking for each site requires a slightly different approach because of distinct soils and tannin profiles.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mixed messages came as the war has shown no signs of abating.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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The Firesign Theatre, a comedy group formed in the 1960s, created surreal albums that mixed satire and science fiction, and inspired a generation of misfits.—
Giri Nathan,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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So far, Republicans have easily voted down several resolutions from Democrats designed to halt the military campaign.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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And the 6-9, 250-pound Boozer started to act like his brother Cayden, getting the ball up top in a point forward role on several possessions and then driving downhill.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disproportionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disproportionate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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