1 inordinate | Definition of inordinate
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inordinate

adjective
in·​or·​di·​nate | \ in-ˈȯr-dÉ™-nÉ™t How to pronounce inordinate (audio) , -ˈȯrd-nÉ™t\

Definition of inordinate

1 : exceeding reasonable limits : immoderate
2 archaic : disorderly, unregulated
Other Words from inordinate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about inordinate

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Other Words from inordinate

inordinately adverb
inordinateness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for inordinate

excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit. excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable. excessive punishment immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint. immoderate spending inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment. inordinate pride extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste. extravagant claims for the product exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree. exorbitant prices extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree. extreme shyness

Did You Know?

At one time if something was "inordinate," it did not conform to the expected or desired order of things. That sense, synonymous with "disorderly" or "unregulated," is now archaic, but it offers a hint at the origins of "inordinate." The word traces back to the Latin verb ordinare, meaning "to arrange," combined with the negative prefix in-. "Ordinare" is also the ancestor of such English words as "coordination," "subordinate," "ordination," and "ordain." "Ordinare" did not give us "order," "orderly," or "disorderly," but the root of those words is the same Latin noun ("ordo") from which "ordinare" itself derives.

Examples of inordinate in a Sentence

I waited an inordinate amount of time. They have had an inordinate number of problems with the schedule.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Coaches and administrators wield an inordinate amount of power and influence, while the single-minded focus required of athletes shrinks their opportunities for social growth and development beyond the sport. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, "Opinion: No quick fixes at USA Gymnastics, but small signs of progress," 8 Aug. 2019 Tarantino didn't have to gamble money or an inordinate amount of time to earn the copyright to Once Upon a Time, whose budget came in at $90 million after the project qualified for a California tax credit. — Tatiana Siegel, The Hollywood Reporter, "Quentin Tarantino Scored Rare Ownership Deal With 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'," 23 July 2019 The United Kingdom’s voters decided to leave the European Union because of a series of inordinate demands by bureaucrats in Brussels. — Sahil Handa, National Review, "Boris Johnson Failed to Defend Britain’s Ambassador — and British Sovereignty," 11 July 2019 Which is important because, regardless of his inordinate talents, Icardi is an outlier in the modern game. — SI.com, "Mauro Icardi: How the Argentine Striker Blew the Biggest Summer of His Career," 8 July 2019 With 16,000 attendees and two food functions canceled -- our Sisterhood Luncheon and closing Soiree Celebration -- there was inordinate amounts of food that would have been wasted. — Michelle Lou, CNN, "A sorority canceled its convention because of Hurricane Barry. Members donated 17,000 meals to storm victims," 13 July 2019 While Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado, who for weeks were providing an inordinate amount of the production, have been quiet for a few day, more batters throughout the lineup have hit the past two nights. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Padres head to L.A. after sweep by Giants," 3 July 2019 The plus-size population is one that faces an inordinate amount of workplace discrimination. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, "Why This Venture-Backed Startup Decided to Hold Its Launch Event in Anchorage, Alaska," 17 June 2019 Did Mountain View get an inordinate amount of snow this winter preventing the work from getting done before the concert season? — Gary Richards, The Mercury News, "Weedwhacking needed on I-880 from Oakland to San Jose: Roadshow," 14 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inordinate.' 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 inordinate

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for inordinate

Middle English inordinat, from Latin inordinatus, from in- + ordinatus, past participle of ordinare to arrange — more at ordain

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More Definitions for inordinate

inordinate

adjective
How to pronounce inordinate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of inordinate

: going beyond what is usual, normal, or proper

See the full definition for inordinate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on inordinate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inordinate

Spanish Central: Translation of inordinate

Nglish: Translation of inordinate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of inordinate for Arabic Speakers

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