ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unreasonable

adj.
US //ənˈɹiznəbəɫ// UK //ʌnɹˈiːzənəbəl// un·rea·son·able
  1. 1 unfair or excessive (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not fair or sensible; asking for more than what is right or possible.

    exceeding the bounds of what is reasonable, moderate, or appropriate in a given context.

    Example

    It is unreasonable to expect the staff to work twelve hours without a break.

    Example

    The landlord's demand for a fifty percent rent increase was deemed entirely unreasonable by the local housing tribunal.

    Usage

    often used to describe demands, prices, or expectations.

  2. 2 stubborn or irrational (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    refusing to listen to reason or change your mind even when you are wrong.

    not guided by or based on good sense; exhibiting a refusal to engage with logical arguments.

    Example

    He became very unreasonable when I tried to explain why the plan wouldn't work.

    Example

    The negotiator found the opposing party increasingly unreasonable as they refused to acknowledge the statistical evidence presented to them.

Origin

From Middle English unresonable, equivalent to un- + reasonable, originally partly after Latin irratiōnābilis.

Word family

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