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

In April, a federal district court judge ruled that the Border Patrol likely violated the Constitution’s protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats, it seems, have convinced themselves they have to be more reasonable precisely because the Republicans are so unreasonable, irresponsible and destructive.

From Salon

Mr Bane has used his rights under the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution - which prohibits unreasonable government searches and seizures - to block a forensics team from searching his yacht.

From BBC

“When you have a word like that, ‘unreasonable,’ there’ll be a range where everybody will say, outside of this, we all agree this is unreasonable,” Barrett explained.

From Los Angeles Times

The 4th Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches, the justices said then, and a motorist’s “Mexican appearance” does not justify stopping them to ask about their immigration status.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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