uncalled-for
adjective
not called for; not required; superfluous; unwanted.
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uncalled-for
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uncalled for
uncalled forNot justified, undeserved, as in That rude remark was uncalled for. [Early 1800s] Also see call for, def. 3.
uncalled-for
American
[uhn-kawld-fawr]
/ ʌnˈkɔldˌfɔr /
adjective
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not called for; not required; superfluous; unwanted.
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unwarranted; unjustified; improper.
an uncalled-for criticism.
uncalled-for
British
/ ˌʌnˈkɔːldfɔː /
adjective
uncalled for
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of uncalled-for
First recorded in 1600–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Outside of the uncalled-for bullying, Jessel's sarcastic delivery, her eccentric fashions and her seemingly connected status in the New York fashion scene have really cemented her as a star in the making.
From Salon ● Oct. 18, 2023
Better, but still bad: a $37 crabcake, mushy in some places and dry in others, with muddy-tasting crab lumps and an intermittent, uncalled-for spicy heat.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 24, 2022
It sounds like a deliberate and uncalled-for put-down.
From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2018
As far as lesser triumphs go, he beat an ethics investigation into himself; and this year he staged some wholly uncalled-for “The Best” awards twice inside nine months.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 29, 2017
Lorraine inquired, which was a little uncalled-for since all you had to do was look at the tray, and you could tell it was the usual rubbery eggs you always get in a hospital.
From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel
“The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” he shared.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2025
"The false narrative in the social media and electronic media was totally uncalled for," he said, calling on media bosses to "reflect upon what they did".
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2025
“It was brutal, it was uncalled for, it was unjustified,” Gage said, adding that he intended to file a governmental claim against the city, the precursor to a lawsuit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2024
“I definitely think it was uncalled for, but I mean, it’s a rivalry game so I kind of expected it,” UNC guard RJ Davis said with a smile.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 9, 2024
“Listen. I just wanted to say...I’m sorry for the other day when we were shooting that scene. Lewis, I shouldn’t have said all those things to you. It was absolutely uncalled for and totally uncool.”
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
