not called for; not required; superfluous; unwanted.
unwarranted; unjustified; improper.
an uncalled-for criticism.
First recorded in 1600–10
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
To have an indignant fight announcer congratulate an excited winner and then tell him to his face that he didn't think he won the fight was very unprofessional and uncalled-for commentary.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 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
"It is absolutely uncalled for," legal news website LiveLaw quoted the court as saying.
From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2026
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
“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
Definitions 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.
