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Synonyms

inordinate

American  
[in-awr-dn-it] / ɪnˈɔr dn ɪt /

adjective

  1. not within proper or reasonable limits; immoderate; excessive.

    He drank an inordinate amount of wine.
    Synonyms:
    disproportionate, unreasonable, outrageous, exorbitant, extreme
    Antonyms:
    reasonable

  2. unrestrained in conduct, feelings, etc..

    an inordinate admirer of beauty.

  3. disordered or uncontrolled.

  4. not regulated; irregular.

    Keeping such inordinate hours will not help with your sleep issues.
inordinate British  
/ ɪnˈɔːdɪnɪt /

adjective

  1. exceeding normal limits; immoderate

  2. unrestrained, as in behaviour or emotion; intemperate

  3. irregular or disordered

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • inordinacy noun
  • inordinately adverb
  • inordinateness noun

Etymology

Origin of inordinate

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English inordinat, from Latin inordinātus “disordered,” equivalent to in- in- 3 + ordinātus “orderly, appointed”; ordain, ordinate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bunkers comprise only about 1%-2% of the golf course, yet take up an inordinate amount of a golfer’s energy and anxiety.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

We have an inordinate amount of respect for each other, both as people and as creative partners.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

I still do spend an inordinate amount of time texting and scrolling.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2026

"The report documents that AB, while at a social event related to CGF business, spent an inordinate amount of time with a volunteer of the opposite sex," the CGF added.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

I’d had an inordinate and unfair amount of homework, and there were a couple of hours of decent working light left.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.