unreasonable
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for unreasonable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not guided by sound judgment or reason; excessive or unfair given the circumstances.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use unreasonable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English unresonable, from un- plus reasonable.
Full origin of unreasonable →Frequently asked questions
What does “unreasonable” mean?
The word “unreasonable” means not guided by sound judgment or reason; excessive or unfair given the circumstances. In plain terms, going beyond what is fair, sensible, or practical to expect.
How do you pronounce “unreasonable”?
“Unreasonable” is pronounced uhn-REEZ-nuh-bl (/ʌnˈɹiːz.(ə)nə.bl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “unreasonable” in a sentence?
Here is “unreasonable” used in a sentence: “It seems unreasonable to expect a reply within the hour.”
What part of speech is “unreasonable”?
“Unreasonable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unreasonable” come from?
The word “unreasonable” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unresonable, from un- plus reasonable.
Is “unreasonable” a common word?
“Unreasonable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between unreasonable and irrational?
Unreasonable describes demands, behavior, or expectations that are excessive or unfair given the circumstances, even if there is some logic behind them. Irrational describes thinking or behavior that lacks logical basis altogether, often driven by emotion rather than sound judgment.
What is the difference between unreasonable and unfair?
Unreasonable focuses on a lack of sound judgment, often implying a request or expectation is excessive given the situation. Unfair focuses specifically on a lack of fairness or equal treatment. A demand can be unreasonable without being unfair to a specific person, or unfair without being unreasonable in scope.
When would you call a request unreasonable?
A request is called unreasonable when it is not guided by sound judgment and is excessive or unfair given the circumstances, such as demanding an impossible deadline. The term signals that the request goes beyond what is fair or practical to expect.