disproportionate

adjective

dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət 

: being out of proportion

a disproportionate share

disproportionately adverb

Examples of disproportionate in a Sentence

He believes that middle-class people bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden.

A disproportionate number of the students are poor.

Recent Examples on the Web

The funding was intended to offset disproportionate fallout anticipated in rural communities from the law, which is expected to slash Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion over 10 years. —Aaron Bolton, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026

These are crops that deliver disproportionate value relative to their size and care requirements. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

Alaska Native voters face disproportionate impact, with 55%-78% of absentee ballots from some districts historically arriving after election day in recent elections. —Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026

The data also shows a disproportionate use of restraints against Black children. —Austen Erblat, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin disprōportiōnātus, past participle of disprōportiōnāre "to make out of proportion," from Latin dis- dis- + Medieval Latin prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions" — more at proportion entry 2

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disproportionate

• extortionate
• proportionate

Kids Definition

disproportionate

adjective

dis·​pro·​por·​tion·​ate ˌdis-prə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət 

-ˈpȯr-

: being out of proportion

disproportionately adverb