unduly
Americanadverb
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excessively.
unduly worried.
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in an inappropriate, unjustifiable, or improper manner.
unduly critical.
adverb
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immoderately; excessively
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in contradiction of moral or legal standards
Etymology
Origin of unduly
First recorded in 1350–1400, unduly is from the Middle English word undewely. See undue, -ly
Explanation
If something is done unduly, it's done out of proportion with what's reasonable or right. If you're unduly treated, you're not treated in the way you deserve to be. Duly comes from the late 14th century duweliche meaning "rightly, properly." The prefix un-, meaning "not" of course reverses that meaning so with unduly we get "not rightly or properly." You might become unduly angry with a toddler for tracking mud into the house. Unduly can also mean "excessively." Worrying unduly about the future can be paralyzing. Sometimes it's good to take the days as they come.
Vocabulary lists containing unduly
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
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Hatchet
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Excerpt from "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
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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.
The initial sentences were referred to the court after they were called "unduly lenient" by Attorney General Lord Hermer.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
Under federal tax-exempt organization law, he said, the “private benefit doctrine” governs whether a nonprofit’s overall activities unduly benefit any single individual — including through indirect payments to entities they own.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
The defendants' supporters say the punishments were unduly harsh.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
The eurozone’s economy contracted in the first quarter, driven by declines in output in Ireland and France, complicating the European Central Bank’s task as it seeks to cool rising inflation without unduly damaging economic activity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Well, that was too strong a description for it, he decided as he made his way to the particular plot of sod which he owned along with the unduly large apartment below.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
