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unconscionable

unconscionable

35 8.9
Very wrong and unfair in a way people cannot accept
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈkɒnʃənəbl/
translation icon : abusivo
  • Well it's absolutely unconscionable that he would make those jokes.
  • an unconscionable contract
  • an unconscionable provision

A court probably wouldn't find this arbitration clause unconscionable.

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Examples

  • Her behavior was unconscionable.

  • This is unconscionable.

  • What is this unconscionable lie?

  • And yet we see unconscionable levels of death, disability that could be avoided.

  • And it is unconscionable to define a man strictly on his lowest moments.

  • Under the circumstances, I find it unconscionable for Nifong to refuse to help her.

    Blog text (10)
  • This is unconscionable, Jack.

  • Bishops and Catholic publications used words like "alarming," "unprecedented," and "unconscionable" about the HHS mandate.

    Blog text (3)
  • The plaintiffs alleged that the cancellation terms constituted an unfair practice, an unconscionable forfeiture provision, and an unlawful liquidated damages clause.

    Academic text (2016)
  • It is unconscionable for anyone to ignore the suffering of others.

Synonyms

too far
vsunconscionable
446 2.6

Beyond what is acceptable or allowed

includes moral wrong and absolute unacceptability rather than only rule breaking
excessive
vsunconscionable
224 3.6

More than is needed or reasonable

adds a moral objection making that excess completely unacceptable
unreasonable
vsunconscionable
125 3.0

Not fair or too much for the situation

also highlights an added moral wrong and total unacceptability
outrageous
vsunconscionable
98 4.2

Too high to be fair or reasonable

includes moral wrong as well as shocking excess rather than only excess
unbearable
vsunconscionable
89 3.9

Too painful or unpleasant to stand

adds a moral and unreasonable element making it fully unacceptable
unforgivable
vsunconscionable
45 5.2

So bad that people will not accept it

adds that the act is also morally outrageous and wholly unacceptable
intolerable
vsunconscionable
42 4.9

So unpleasant or painful that you cannot bear it

focuses more on moral excess and absolute unacceptability than mere unpleasantness
steep
vsunconscionable
39 4.2

Very high in price and hard to afford

frames such unreasonableness as morally wrong and fully unacceptable
inexcusable
vsunconscionable
35 5.6

Too bad to be forgiven

emphasises moral wrong as totally unacceptable rather than only unjustified
draconian
vsunconscionable
  • Formal
28 8.9

Very harsh actions or rules that cause great difficulty

focuses more on moral wrong and overall unacceptability than on severity alone
exorbitant
vsunconscionable
25 7.9

A price or cost that is much higher than it should be

extends this idea to morally wrong excess that cannot be accepted
execrable
vsunconscionable
  • Formal
4 9.5

Very bad and unpleasant, causing strong dislike

adds a moral judgement making the action wholly unacceptable
unwholesome
vsunconscionable
4 6.3

Harmful to health or to how someone behaves

narrows this harm to strong moral wrong and total unacceptability
unpardonable
vsunconscionable
3 7.6

An action so bad that people cannot forgive it

stresses both moral wrong and excessive unacceptability beyond pardon
extortionate
vsunconscionable
2 7.9

Much more expensive than a fair price

casts such excess as morally wrong and wholly unacceptable
immoderate
vsunconscionable
1 8.0

More than what is reasonable or acceptable

brings in moral condemnation and total unacceptability beyond mere excess
unmoral
vsunconscionable
  • Archaic
9.1

Wrong or bad because it goes against accepted ideas of right and wrong

goes further by calling such acts completely unacceptable and excessive
unswallowable
vsunconscionable
9.3

Too hard or unpleasant to accept

is similar but emphasises moral wrong and clear unacceptability rather than mere difficulty
unsufferable
vsunconscionable
8.4

So bad or strong that you cannot stand it

stresses moral wrong and unacceptability beyond simple endurance limits

Antonyms

595 2.7

Fair and sensible in thinking and behavior

477 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

How Unfair

unconscionable
35 8.9
excessive
224 3.6
unfair
497 1.0
unreasonable
125 3.0
fair
1.0

Surface Forms

unconscionable positive

Morphology

unconscionable = conscionable (semi-transparent) = un + conscion + able

Negation by the productive prefix 'un-' applied to 'conscionable' is a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

Unconscionable breaks into un- ('not') and conscience ('your inner sense of right and wrong'), with -able showing it describes something. So, something unconscionable is 'not right according to the conscience' — very unfair or morally wrong, which is why the word means completely unacceptable.