undue

[ uhn-doo, -dyoo ]

adjective

1. unwarranted; excessive:

   undue haste.

2. inappropriate; unjustifiable; improper:

   undue influence.

3. not owed or currently payable.

undue

/ ʌnˈdjuː /

adjective

1. excessive or unwarranted
2. unjust, improper, or illegal
3. (of a debt, bond, etc) not yet payable

Usage

The use of undue in sentences such as there is no cause for undue alarm is redundant and should be avoided

Word History and Origins

Origin of undue¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, undue is from the Middle English word undewe. See un- ¹, due

Example Sentences

He still saw nothing of undue concern, according to those involved.

From Washington Post

Beth Milito, the group’s senior executive counsel, said that while small-business owners have been “highly sensitive” to their workers’ needs during the pandemic, mandating paid sick days and extended leave puts an undue burden on them.

From Fortune

The firm said it will now notify customers and issue credits for undue fees.

From ProPublica

The Glass-Steagall and BHC acts separated banking from commerce to prevent undue concentrations of financial and economic power and to minimize conflicts of interest in bank lending and investment advice.

From Fortune

We’re talking about the kinds of information that can potentially cause people to take on undue risk.

From MIT Technology Review

Ryan did not go into detail on what an “undue burden” would be.

From The Daily Beast

Critics contend that bundlers have undue influence over politicians.

From The Daily Beast

But a seemingly undue reliance on stop-and-frisk in particular caused tensions in minority neighborhoods.

From The Daily Beast

Are there other areas of American life that may be creating undue strain on the health care system?

From The Daily Beast

Placing an undue emphasis on our ‘separateness’ is a step backward.

From The Daily Beast

In writing K. I try to convey the truth in terms which will neither give him needless anxiety or undue confidence.

From Project Gutenberg

Reasonable facilities for receiving and forwarding traffic The subject of undue preference, which was forbiddenp.

From Project Gutenberg

If she ignored his note it would give undue importance to a trivial affair.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw the sudden change in her, and realised what a supreme effort she was making to betray no undue alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

He had no undue trial of his patience, for a moment later the editor of the Mercury bustled into the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disproportionate
• extreme
• improper
• inappropriate
• inordinate
• needless
• too much
• unconscionable
• undeserved
• unfair
• unjust
• unjustifiable
• unjustified
• unreasonable
• unseemly
• untimely
• unwarranted