Skip to main content
unreasonable

unreasonable

125 3.0
Not fair or too much for the situation
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈrizənəbl/
translation icon : irrazonable
  • Her demands for a raise after only one month on the job were totally unreasonable.
  • unreasonable demands
  • unreasonable to expect
  • seem unreasonable

I got to see where my unreasonable expectations would come up.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I think your father has been most unreasonable with his prices with me.

  • You are being unreasonable.

  • This is such an unreasonable request of someone.

  • So I think I was just probably just an unreasonable child.

  • But actually it helped us because people could see how unreasonable he was being.

  • In our present circumstances, your request is not unreasonable.

  • That to me seems completely unreasonable and I think also a bit unjust.

  • But I think that we can also see how unreasonable Benji is, right?

  • I don't think we're being unreasonable.

  • You and I have been through this before and I still think you're being unreasonable.

Synonyms

too far
vsunreasonable
446 2.6

Beyond what is acceptable or allowed

focuses more generally on unfairness, excess, or lack of good sense
excessive
vsunreasonable
224 3.6

More than is needed or reasonable

is the same idea but can also include poor judgment or unfairness
undue
vsunreasonable
43 6.0

More than is reasonable or needed

is broader, covering unfairness or lack of common sense as well
unconscionable
vsunreasonable
35 8.9

Very wrong and unfair in a way people cannot accept

covers similar cases but is less extreme and less moral in tone
unwarranted
vsunreasonable
31 7.0

Not having a good reason or official permission

includes that lack of reason but also covers unfair or excessive cases
inordinate
vsunreasonable
  • Formal
19 7.7

Much more than is normal or reasonable

is similar but also applies when decisions lack fairness or sense

Antonyms

595 2.7

Fair and sensible in thinking and behavior

How Reasonable

sensible
201 2.7
reasonable
302 2.2
questionable
176 3.9
unreasonable
125 3.0
absurd
288 4.4

Surface Forms

unreasonable positive
unreasonabler comparative
unreasonablest superlative

Morphology

unreasonable = reasonable (transparent) = un + reason + able

A standard negation prefix 'un-' applied to the adjective 'reasonable', yielding the opposite meaning in a straightforward way.

Etymology

Unreasonable is made from the prefix un- meaning 'not' and reason meaning 'good sense' or 'careful thinking'. So, something unreasonable is 'not guided by good sense' — it is unfair, 'too much', or does not make sense.