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.
See Examples For:
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
The comment quickly drew criticism among Japan’s Twitterati, who bemoaned a lack of tact in “yet another uncalled-for remark” by the former prime minister.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 29, 2020
It sounds like a deliberate and uncalled-for put-down.
From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2018
A perhaps uncalled-for gush of pity came over my heart: I was moved to say—
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Lawyers for journalists involved in the litigation countered that the incidents that led to the injunction were uncalled for.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025
“The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” he shared.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2025
Northampton rugby director Phil Dowson had described the incident as "uncalled for and out of order" and said that there had been foul play involved.
From BBC ● May 26, 2025
“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
In other people’s presence I was, as formerly, deferential and quiet; any other line of conduct being uncalled for: it was only in the evening conferences I thus thwarted and afflicted him.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
