1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

disproportion

noun

Definition of disproportionnext
as in difference
formal a state of being different in a way that is not fair, reasonable, or expected The author does not explain the disproportion between the value of the stones.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disproportion Between the assassination in Sarajevo, the mass slaughter in the trenches, and the stagnant front lines lie disproportions so immense that cause and effect lose all relation. — George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025 The implications of this enormous disproportion are obvious, given that few governments support more than one or a handful of official languages. — Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 Those numbers and disproportion are likely to explode under the new law, in a climate where many people of color oppose Israel’s actions and many members of the Jewish faith see dangerous antisemites behind ugly encounters around Israel. — Ron Kuby, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2024 In a world of absolute equality, there would be no place left for derangements of disproportion. — Becca Rothfeld, Harper's Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for disproportion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disproportion
  1. difference
  2. distinctness
  3. distinctiveness
  4. imbalance
  5. distinction
  6. disparity
  7. inequality
Noun
  • On a longer flight, having some additional neck support can make a significant difference.
    — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The big difference is space, with the standard room having a footprint of 350 square feet, whereas the suite has an additional 500 square feet to spread out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?
    — Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.
    — Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of distinctness
Noun
  • Generally speaking, sports fans don’t bring up United States history when talking about their team’s big game, but that’s the distinctiveness of this rivalry.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The key lesson for personal branding is to embrace distinctiveness, substance, and a unique voice, rather than conforming to generic professionalism.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinctiveness
Noun
  • Woodland’s population has grown substantially, creating enrollment imbalances among district schools.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The supply-demand imbalance has led to soaring prices and a windfall for memory and storage stocks.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of imbalance
Noun
  • Upon completion, Ryan Field will have the dual distinction of being the most expensive and the smallest stadium, by seating capacity, in all of big-time college football.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • How a blood pressure wearable actually works Not every device on your wrist does the same thing, and for anyone weighing a switch from an arm cuff, the distinctions are critical.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • Voters are deeply concerned about income disparity but also skeptical about the unusual approach of the billionaire tax.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Dems are using the disparity to press Jackson on his debate reticence.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of disparity
Noun
  • Throughout the novel, outsiders suggest that hagwons might replicate preexisting social inequalities.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Educators and policymakers have also spent several decades focused on correcting historical gender inequalities that held back girls.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of inequality

Browse Nearby Words

disproofs
disproportion
disproportionate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disproportion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disproportion. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fungible

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All