Word
unreasonably
Phoneticsun·rea·son·ably
US/ənˈɹizənəbɫi/
UK/ʌnɹˈiːzənəbli/
Definition
adv. in a way that is not fair or logical. You use this when someone is being too strict or difficult without a good reason.
adv. in a manner that lacks logic, fairness, or justification. Often used to describe behavior or demands that exceed what is considered normal or acceptable.
Examples
“He refused to answer my questions unreasonably.”
“The manager acted unreasonably by refusing to grant the employee a day off for a family emergency.”
“The witness was dismissed from the trial for speaking unreasonably, as his outbursts were deemed to be an obstruction of justice rather than a genuine attempt to provide testimony.”
Examples
simple
“He refused to answer my questions unreasonably.”
contextual
“The manager acted unreasonably by refusing to grant the employee a day off for a family emergency.”
complex
“The witness was dismissed from the trial for speaking unreasonably, as his outbursts were deemed to be an obstruction of justice rather than a genuine attempt to provide testimony.”
Etymology
From Middle English unresonably, equivalent to unreasonable + -ly, after resonably (whence reasonably) and (originally) Late Latin irratiōnābiliter.
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unreasonably