Word
undue
Phoneticsun·due, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈdu/
UK/ʌndjˈuː/
Definition
adj. more than is necessary, reasonable, or fair. You use it to describe an amount of something that is too much for the situation.
adj. exceeding what is appropriate, warranted, or justified. Often used to describe excessive influence, pressure, or delay in legal and formal contexts.
Examples
“The news caused undue alarm among the public.”
“The manager warned that any undue delay in submitting the report would affect the project timeline.”
“The court ruled that the contract was signed under undue influence, as one party had used their position of power to pressure the other into an unfair agreement.”
Examples
simple
“The news caused undue alarm among the public.”
contextual
“The manager warned that any undue delay in submitting the report would affect the project timeline.”
complex
“The court ruled that the contract was signed under undue influence, as one party had used their position of power to pressure the other into an unfair agreement.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “undue” in context.
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; frequently collocates with 'influence', 'pressure', 'delay', or 'hardship'.
Real-World Examples
“Yes, absolutely, we must protect our children, we must protect Australians against undue harm.” “Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem hit back on Beirut’s remarks, accusing Lebanese officials of putting the army under “undue pressure” by implementing a non-functional agreement.” Etymology
From un- + due.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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