proportionality

IPA/prəˌpɔːʃəˈnæləti/
KK[prəpˌɔrʃənˈælɪti]IPA/prəˌpɔːrʃəˈnæləti/

proportionality — noun

1. the idea that a punishment, rule, or official response should go no further than

1.名詞C2
釋義

the idea that a punishment, rule, or official response should go no further than the situation truly requires

例句

The judge checked whether the prison term met the test of proportionality.

test of proportionality in legal decisions

City officials debated proportionality before sending armed police to the protest.

proportionality before an official response

同義詞
  • fairness

    more general and not specifically about matching severity to harm

  • balance

    broader; often about keeping two interests in check

  • appropriateness

    wider in scope and not mainly used for penalties or official force

反義詞
  • excessiveness

    focuses on going too far rather than on matching the response to the case

文法句型

the proportionality of + noun

proportionality between + noun + and + noun

用法筆記

Common in law, human rights, and public policy. Writers often use it when comparing a punishment, restriction, or police response with the harm, risk, or offence involved.

常見錯誤

❌The fine lacked proportion.
✅The fine lacked proportionality.
💡'proportion' usually names a part or ratio, while 'proportionality' names whether a response matches the case.
❌We discussed whether the punishment was proportionality.
✅We discussed whether the punishment was proportionate.
💡'proportionality' is a noun, but 'proportionate' is the adjective.