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
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
A perhaps uncalled-for gush of pity came over my heart: I was moved to say—
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Addressing staff via video link, the company's boss, Leslie Benzies, assured them there was a plan to get things back on track and said the negativity they'd seen was "uncalled for".
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2025
“The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” he shared.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2025
“It’s uncalled for and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans or this league checking. There’s no time for it anymore,” she added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 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
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.
