undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü

1

: not due : not yet payable

2

: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness : excessive

undue force

Synonyms

• baroque
• devilish
• excessive
• exorbitant
• extravagant
• extreme
• fancy
• immoderate
• inordinate
• insane
• intolerable
• lavish
• overdue
• overextravagant
• overmuch
• overweening
• plethoric
• steep
• stiff
• towering
• unconscionable
• unmerciful

Examples of undue in a Sentence

These requirements shouldn't cause you any undue hardship.

His writing is elegant without calling undue attention to itself.

Recent Examples on the Web

But by finalizing the regulations now, the CFPB effectively dared the incoming Trump administration and its Republican allies in Congress to undue rules that are broadly popular and could help millions of people who are burdened by medical debt. —Noam Levey, NPR, 7 Jan. 2025

President Trump is right to review each January 6 case carefully, but those who were punished in violation of due process or with undue harshness deserve full and immediate pardons. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Not have that compensation cadence led to undue suffering. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 3 Jan. 2025

Perhaps Duncan was speaking with undue authority based on her own limited information. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈd(y)ü 

1

: not due

2

: excessive

undue profit

Legal Definition

undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü, -ˈdyü 

1

: not due : not yet payable

an undue bill

2

: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness

would impose undue hardship on the debtors

such a requirement would place an undue burden on employers