unreasonable

[ uhn-ree-zuh-nuh-buhl, -reez-nuh- ]

adjective

1. not reasonable or rational; acting at variance with or contrary to reason; not guided by reason or sound judgment; irrational:

   an unreasonable person.

   Synonyms: silly, foolish, senseless

2. not in accordance with practical realities, as attitude or behavior; inappropriate:

   His Bohemianism was an unreasonable way of life for one so rich.

   Synonyms: nonsensical, stupid, absurd, preposterous, silly, foolish, senseless

3. excessive, immoderate, or exorbitant; unconscionable:

   an unreasonable price; unreasonable demands.

   Synonyms: extravagant

4. not having the faculty of reason.

unreasonable

/ ʌnˈriːznəbəl /

adjective

1. immoderate; excessive

   unreasonable demands

2. refusing to listen to reason
3. lacking reason or judgment

Derived Forms

• unˈreasonably, adverb
• unˈreasonableness, noun

Other Words From

• un·reason·a·ble·ness noun
• un·reason·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unreasonable¹

First recorded in 1300–50, unreasonable is from the Middle English word unresonabel. See un- ¹, reasonable

Example Sentences

Chen concluded not that “fluoridated water is injurious to public health” but that “there is unreasonable risk of such injury,” triggering a legal mandate that the EPA take a closer look.

From Los Angeles Times

Many are concerned that freeholders or their managing agents are exploiting the current system and imposing unreasonable costs.

From BBC

At the other end, we have found that tribunals have awarded sums of up to £100,000 back to leaseholders for "unreasonable" service charges.

From BBC

Mr Pennycook said: "Given that millions of leaseholders and residential freeholders are currently suffering as a result of unfair and unreasonable practices, we appreciate fully the need to act urgently to provide them with relief."

From BBC

Though he could not “conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,” Chen wrote, he still determined that it posed an “unreasonable risk” of harm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbitrary
• excessive
• exorbitant
• extreme
• illegitimate
• improper
• inordinate
• senseless
• unconscionable
• undue
• unfair
• unjust
• unjustifiable
• unlawful
• unwarranted
• wrongful