disproportionately

[ dis-pruh-pawr-shuh-nit-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is out of proper relation with something else in size, number, importance, etc.:

   We often allow the minor inconveniences of life—such as traffic jams or technology breakdowns—to disproportionately impact our happiness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of disproportionately¹

disproportionate ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

It disproportionately affects children who are racial minorities, come from low-income families or have special needs.

From Los Angeles Times

Moreover, nitrate runoff from manure continues to contaminate drinking water, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities reliant on domestic wells.

From Los Angeles Times

It is vital that trans people, a demographic who are disproportionately affected by social isolation and poor physical and mental health, are able to access football like anyone else.

From BBC

The Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark climate law Biden signed, has unleashed a boom in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing and other clean energy technology that has disproportionately benefited red states and districts.

From Los Angeles Times

“But I’m pretty liberal, so the part that won out was to not disproportionately affect a population.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• extremely
• immensely
• improperly
• inordinately
• overly
• too
• unfairly
• unjustifiably
• unjustly
• unnecessarily
• unreasonably