1 disproportion | Definition of disproportion

disproportion

noun
dis·​pro·​por·​tion | \ ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-shən How to pronounce disproportion (audio) \

Definition of disproportion

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: lack of proportion, symmetry, or proper relation : disparity also : an instance of such disparity

disproportion

verb
disproportioned; disproportioning; disproportions

Definition of disproportion (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make out of proportion : mismatch

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Other Words from disproportion

Noun

disproportional \ ˌdis-​prə-​ˈpȯr-​shnəl How to pronounce disproportional (audio) , -​shə-​nᵊl \ adjective

Examples of disproportion in a Sentence

Noun

His salary is in disproportion to what people who have similar jobs earn.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This disproportion of means between a simple blog and a billing company is an impediment to any kind of justice in the American judicial system. Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "Why is a Lisbon soccer team trying to unmask Portuguese bloggers in US court?," 12 Oct. 2018 The disproportion is similar at other high-achieving New York City schools where admission is determined by an achievement test. The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Progressive Education Today," 6 June 2018 Morton cited the disproportion number of black children in foster care and the juvenile justice system as factors. Kate Santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Count of Central Florida's homeless youth reveals 'hidden' population," 10 Apr. 2018 Though warrior women Bravely walk the walk, Derivatives of disproportionDraw heinous hypocrites To their flock. Amanda Arnold, The Cut, "So … Sean Penn Wrote a #MeToo Poem," 27 Mar. 2018 There are plenty more questions to be answered—about the genetics of fetopelvic disproportion risk, the role that neonatal care might play in helping smaller babies to survive, and whether other data sets show the same increase in risk. Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "C-sections might be relaxing the evolutionary pressure against big babies," 18 Oct. 2017 If women are at best no more productive than men, a faculty-level gender disparity might be an efficient outcome, albeit one tilted by the disproportion in the pool of undergraduates. The Economist, "Women and economics," 16 Dec. 2017 Over the history of Tasers in Chicago, their use has been marked by the same racial disparity seen in other elements of policing in the city, as cops have inflicted shocks in vast disproportion to African-Americans in poor and violent areas. Dan Hinkel, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago cops get more Tasers, but red flags remain," 25 Aug. 2017 The disproportion between their personal feelings and the wanton destruction of real estate and innocent life is both comical and horrific, and also oddly persuasive. Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, "What’s on TV Tuesday: ‘Colossal’ and ‘Frontline: Life on Parole’," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disproportion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disproportion

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for disproportion

disproportion

noun

English Language Learners Definition of disproportion

formal : a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or expected

disproportion

noun
dis·​pro·​por·​tion | \ ˌdis-prə-ˈpȯr-shən How to pronounce disproportion (audio) \

Kids Definition of disproportion

: a marked difference in the size, number, or amount of something as compared to another thing There is a disproportion of boys to girls in the class.

disproportion

noun
dis·​pro·​por·​tion | \ ˌdis-prə-ˈpōr-shən, -ˈpȯr- How to pronounce disproportion (audio) \

Medical Definition of disproportion

: absence of symmetry or the proper dimensional relationship a disproportion between the large head and the average-size body — see cephalopelvic disproportion

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More from Merriam-Webster on disproportion

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with disproportion

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disproportion

Spanish Central: Translation of disproportion

Nglish: Translation of disproportion for Spanish Speakers