# unreasonable

/ənˈɹiznəbəɫ/ (US) · /ʌnɹˈiːzənəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unreasonable
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unfair or excessive

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- It is unreasonable to expect the staff to work twelve hours without a break.
- 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. stubborn or irrational

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- He became very unreasonable when I tried to explain why the plan wouldn't work.
- The negotiator found the opposing party increasingly unreasonable as they refused to acknowledge the statistical evidence presented to them.

## Examples

- The price they are asking for the car is unreasonable.
- My boss is being unreasonable by asking me to finish this entire report by tomorrow morning.
- The court ruled that the search was unreasonable because the officers lacked a warrant or probable cause to enter the private residence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.