unreasonable
uhn-REEZ-nuh-bl
Unreasonable (adj) means not guided by sound judgment or reason; excessive or unfair given the circumstances. Example: “It seems unreasonable to expect a reply within the hour.”
adj
1
Not guided by sound judgment or reason; excessive or unfair given the circumstances.
"It seems unreasonable to expect a reply within the hour."
"The landlord's demands were completely unreasonable."
"She thought it was unreasonable to charge extra for a glass of tap water."
How to use unreasonable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGoing beyond what is fair, sensible, or practical to expect.
Common pairings
unreasonable demand
unreasonable expectations
seem unreasonable
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like unreasonable.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more unreasonable
- Superlative
- most unreasonable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It seems _____ to expect a reply within the hour.
Etymology
From Middle English unresonable, from un- plus reasonable.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unreasonable
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include unreasonable:
