unconscionable

[ uhn-kon-shuh-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not guided by conscience; unscrupulous.
2. not in accordance with what is just or reasonable:

   unconscionable behavior.

3. excessive; extortionate:

   an unconscionable profit.

   Synonyms: unwarranted, inordinate, immoderate, extreme

unconscionable

/ ʌnˈkɒnʃənəbəl /

adjective

1. unscrupulous or unprincipled

   an unconscionable liar

2. immoderate or excessive

   unconscionable demands

Derived Forms

• unˈconscionably, adverb
• unˈconscionableness, noun

Other Words From

• un·conscion·a·bili·ty noun
• un·conscion·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unconscionable¹

First recorded in 1555–65; un- ¹ + conscionable

Example Sentences

Yet there is no urgency on either side of the aisle, and it's unconscionable.

From Axios

The wife’s attorney told Davis that it was “unconscionable” that the Sheriff’s Department and county lawyers withheld the clerk’s name, which is a potential violation of court rules.

From Voice of San Diego

Chris Morris, who’s representing Moriarty’s wife, Michelle, said it was “unconscionable” that the Sheriff’s Department and county lawyers withheld Werner’s name, a potential violation of court rules.

From Voice of San Diego

This is best illustrated by the unconscionable deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

From No Straight News

I read somewhere recently that, several years back, Purdue Pharma tried to acquire the marketing rights to buprenorphine, which just absolutely is unconscionable to me, and so I would agree with you one thousand percent.

From Freakonomics

Certainly, such crimes are beyond unconscionable and horrifying.

From The Daily Beast

You know exactly what: Barack Obama is the weakest president ever, this is unconscionable.

From The Daily Beast

Both sides agree that the conditions at the slaughterhouses as well as during the journey there are unconscionable.

From The Daily Beast

Veterans groups called it unconscionable to inflict cuts of any kind on a force that has endured repeated deployments.

From The Daily Beast

We must look in the mirror and not be afraid to confront the unconscionable reality that is Israel's military occupation.

From The Daily Beast

The bull moved forward a little also, and I lost sight of both for what seemed to me an unconscionable time.

From Project Gutenberg

If she was merely late, he equally objected to such unconscionable inexactitude.

From Project Gutenberg

And I am aching—have ached ever since this jade of an Ideal learnt the unconscionable trick of inhabiting one image only.'

From Project Gutenberg

Mole-eyes grow hawk's: knowledge is lent In grudging driblets that pay high Unconscionable usury To unrelenting life.

From Project Gutenberg

Mother is gadding somewhere at this unconscionable hour, so I suppose they thought I didn't want any.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barbarous
• excessive
• outrageous
• preposterous
• uncivilized
• unethical
• unfair
• unjust
• unreasonable
• wanton