disproportionate
/ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃənət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət/ (ame, mw)
disproportionate — adjective
- disproportionatepositive
- more disproportionatecomparative
- most disproportionatesuperlative
1. much larger, much smaller, or much more serious than what would be normal, reaso
much larger, much smaller, or much more serious than what would be normal, reasonable, or fair when you compare it with something else.
The punishment seemed disproportionate to the small mistake the intern made.
disproportionate to [noun] — comparison structure
Wei spent a disproportionate amount of his salary on rent each month.
disproportionate amount of [noun]
Elderly patients often receive a disproportionate share of the hospital's resources.
The media gave disproportionate attention to the celebrity's minor car accident.
A disproportionate number of accidents on this mountain trail involve hikers who go alone.
- out of proportion
more informal and conversational than 'disproportionate'
- excessive
only covers the 'too large' side of the meaning, not 'too small'
- inordinate
more formal and stronger; implies going far beyond acceptable limits
- unreasonable
broader meaning; can refer to any unfair expectation, not just size comparison
- proportionate
the direct opposite; describes a fair or matching relationship in size or degree
- balanced
partial opposite; suggests even distribution rather than exact matching
文法句型
disproportionate + to + noun phrase
disproportionate + amount/share/number + of + noun
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'to' when indicating what something is being compared with (disproportionate to the crime). Frequently modifies nouns of quantity: amount, number, share, proportion, degree. The adverb form 'disproportionately' is very common in academic and news writing.