disproportionate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since the Cold War, the U.S. had provided a “nuclear umbrella” to other nations, which reciprocated by holding a disproportionate share of their reserves in dollars and Treasury securities, he wrote in an email.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Because he maintained his innocence and went to trial, he received a sentence disproportionate to his co-defendants, who pleaded guilty and acted as cooperating witnesses.

From Slate • May 29, 2026

This is my favorite use for pickle juice, partly because the payoff feels disproportionate to the effort.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

A 1999 report by the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights described “the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of lethal force applied to the civilian aircraft.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Since fringe politicians and scientists are generally more intriguing than mainstream ones, they garner a disproportionate share of publicity and thus seem more representative and significant than they otherwise would.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos