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

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

Judge Gordon-Saker ruled that while there was a "failure to be transparent", it was not "sufficiently unreasonable or improper" to constitute misconduct.

From BBC

He warms to the theme, saying it's unreasonable to expect a band in their fifth decade to re-capture the spittle-flecked anger of youth.

From BBC

Under California law, the governor can block the board’s decision to grant parole if he finds evidence that the brothers’ release posed an “unreasonable risk to the public.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Both drivers agreed that Bearman's positioning was not unreasonable," the stewards said, "but was unfortunate because it was close to Albon's line. All parties agreed it was a racing incident."

From BBC

Related Words

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