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unconscionable

adjective
un·​con·​scio·​na·​ble | \ ˌən-ˈkän(t)-sh(É™-)nÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce unconscionable (audio) \

Definition of unconscionable

1a : shockingly unfair or unjust unconscionable sales practices
b : excessive, unreasonable found an unconscionable number of defects in the car
2 : not guided or controlled by conscience : unscrupulous an unconscionable villain
Other Words from unconscionable Synonyms & Antonyms When Do You Use unconscionable? More Example Sentences Learn More about unconscionable

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Other Words from unconscionable

unconscionability \ ˌən-​ËŒkän(t)-​sh(É™-​)nÉ™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce unconscionability (audio) \ noun
unconscionableness \ ˌən-​ˈkän(t)-​sh(É™-​)nÉ™-​bÉ™l-​nÉ™s How to pronounce unconscionableness (audio) \ noun
unconscionably \ ˌən-​ˈkän(t)-​sh(É™-​)nÉ™-​blÄ“ How to pronounce unconscionably (audio) \ adverb

When Do You Use unconscionable?

Something that can't be done in good conscience is unconscionable, and such acts can range from betraying a confidence to mass murder. For a five-syllable word, unconscionable is actually quite common. This is partly because it isn't always used very seriously; so, for example, a critic is free to call a fat new book "an unconscionable waste of trees". In law, an unconscionable contract is one that, even though it was signed by both parties, is so ridiculous that a judge will just throw it out.

Examples of unconscionable in a Sentence

They have had to endure unconscionable delays. an unconscionable number of errors for an important government report

Recent Examples on the Web

 The task is so large that direct government spending on projects such as power plants is a recipe for unconscionable waste. — The Washington Post, Twin Cities, "Other voices: Sanders climate plan would take us nowhere," 29 Aug. 2019 The state’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act also prohibits unconscionable sales transactions. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Colts Would Win in Court vs. Fans Seeking Ticket Refunds Over Luck's Retirement," 26 Aug. 2019 The appellate panel reversed the trial court’s order finding the arbitration provisions in the executives’ employment agreements procedurally and substantively unconscionable. — Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Why otherwise defective arbitration agreements may be enforced against high-ranking executives," 19 Aug. 2019 Netflix contends that such deals are unconscionable, void out of public policy interests, and furthermore, constitute unfair business practices. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Netflix Tells Court It Shouldn't Have to Disclose Which Actors Have Long-Term Deals," 23 July 2019 The companies, the distributors, were unconscionable. — oregonlive.com, "See how many opioid pills were sold in your town," 18 July 2019 This is just one solitary decision so Tantaros has hope that courts may agree with her that lawmakers merely codified the proposition that arbitration provisions in contracts are unconscionable for victims. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Former Fox News Star Tests Anti-Arbitration Rule for Sexual Harassment Claims," 16 July 2019 The inhumane treatment of children in overcrowded detention camps is unconscionable. — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Why hold immigrant kids in unsanitary for-profit camps?," 8 July 2019 Imagine how much more unconscionable that would feel if the city of Houston hadn’t been lucky enough to get an expansion team in 2002. — Conor Orr, SI.com, "Which NFL Throwback Uniforms Should Make a Comeback?," 28 June 2019

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

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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More Definitions for unconscionable

unconscionable

adjective
How to pronounce unconscionable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of unconscionable

formal
: extremely bad, unfair, or wrong
: going far beyond what is usual or proper

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

unconscionable

adjective
un·​con·​scio·​na·​ble | \ ˌən-ˈkän-chÉ™-nÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce unconscionable (audio) \

Legal Definition of unconscionable

: unreasonably unfair to one party, marked by oppression, or otherwise unacceptably offensive to public policy an unconscionable clause finds the contract…to have been unconscionable at the time it was made — Uniform Commercial Code — compare conscionable

Other Words from unconscionable

unconscionably adverb

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