Disproportionately: meaning, definitions and examples

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disproportionately

 

[ ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃənətli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in the context of distribution

In a disproportionate manner; not in proportion; not in a balanced or equal way.

Synonyms

disproportionally, imbalanced, unequally, unevenly.

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Word Description / Examples
disproportionately

This word is the same as 'disproportionately' and can be used interchangeably.

  • The effects of climate change are disproportionately felt in low-income countries
  • The workload in the office is disproportionately assigned
unequally

Used to describe a situation where things are not shared or distributed equally.

  • The land was unequally divided among the heirs
  • Unequally sized portions of food were given to the children
disproportionally

Often used similarly to 'disproportionately,' but can sometimes emphasize the degree to how much out of proportion something is.

  • Women are disproportionally affected by the lack of healthcare in certain areas
  • The risk was borne disproportionally by the minority groups
imbalanced

Refers to a state where things are not in a proper balance. It can also imply a less critical or intense imbalance compared to 'disproportionately.'

  • The diet was imbalanced, lacking essential nutrients
  • The team is somewhat imbalanced with more offensive players than defensive ones
unevenly

Refers to something that is not level or smooth, or not equally distributed. Often used for physical descriptions or quantitative measures.

  • The tiles were laid unevenly, causing tripping hazards
  • The workload was unevenly spread among the team members

Examples of usage

  • The wealth in the country is disproportionately distributed among the rich and the poor.
  • She felt that she was disproportionately punished for a minor mistake.
  • The company's profits were disproportionately higher this quarter compared to last year.
  • The resources allocated to the project were disproportionately low considering its importance.
  • The students were disproportionately affected by the sudden change in the exam schedule.

Translations

Translations of the word "disproportionately" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desproporcionalmente

🇮🇳 असमानुपातिक रूप से

🇩🇪 unverhältnismäßig

🇮🇩 secara tidak seimbang

🇺🇦 непропорційно

🇵🇱 nieproporcjonalnie

🇯🇵 不釣り合いに

🇫🇷 de manière disproportionnée

🇪🇸 desproporcionadamente

🇹🇷 orantısız olarak

🇰🇷 불균형하게

🇸🇦 بشكل غير متناسب

🇨🇿 neúměrně

🇸🇰 neprimerane

🇨🇳 不成比例地

🇸🇮 nesorazmerno

🇮🇸 óhóflega

🇰🇿 пропорционалды емес

🇬🇪 არაპროპორციულად

🇦🇿 nisbətən qeyri-mütənasib olaraq

🇲🇽 desproporcionadamente

Etymology

The word 'disproportionately' originates from the combination of the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'proportionate' meaning 'in proportion' or 'balanced'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-17th century. The concept of disproportionality has been a topic of discussion in various fields such as economics, social justice, and resource allocation.

See also: disproportion, disproportionally, disproportionate, proportional, proportionally, proportionate, proportionately, proportions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,852, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.