unreasonable

[uhn-ree-zuh-nuh-buhl, -reez-nuh-]

adjective

1. not reasonable or rational; acting at variance with or contrary to reason; not guided by reason or sound judgment; irrational.

   an unreasonable person.

   Synonyms: silly, foolish, senseless

2. not in accordance with practical realities, as attitude or behavior; inappropriate.

   His Bohemianism was an unreasonable way of life for one so rich.

   Synonyms: nonsensical, stupid, absurd, preposterous, silly, foolish, senseless

3. excessive, immoderate, or exorbitant; unconscionable.

   an unreasonable price; unreasonable demands.

   Synonyms: extravagant

4. not having the faculty of reason.

unreasonable

/ ʌnˈriːznəbəl /

adjective

1. immoderate; excessive

   unreasonable demands

2. refusing to listen to reason

3. lacking reason or judgment

Other Word Forms

• unreasonableness noun
• unreasonably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unreasonable¹

First recorded in 1300–50, unreasonable is from the Middle English word unresonabel. See un- ¹, reasonable

Example Sentences

The good news is that there is nothing unreasonable about that scenario.

Read more on Barron's

In response, Mr Yusuf said: "I think that would be an incredibly unreasonable position to take."

Read more on BBC

It shows the highly subjective nature of the decision, which referees' chief Howard Webb described as "not unreasonable".

Read more on BBC

The government believes this has been used to support unreasonable claims, including serious criminals having their deportation blocked because their healthcare needs cannot be met.

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Last month, Frimpong approved expedited discovery on the claim that the aggressive raids violate a person’s 4th Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbitrary 
• excessive 
• exorbitant 
• extreme 
• illegitimate 
• improper 
• inordinate 
• senseless 
• unconscionable 
• undue 
• unfair 
• unjust 
• unjustifiable 
• unlawful 
• unwarranted 
• wrongful