undue

adjective

un·​due ˌən-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü

1

: not due : not yet payable

2

: exceeding or violating propriety or fitness : more than is reasonable or necessary : excessive

undue force

Synonyms of undue

• excessive
• extreme
• steep

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

In 1941, the aviator Charles Lindbergh may still have been praising Hitler’s air power and railing against undue Jewish influence. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Lula very pointedly locates the threat differently, emphasizing the ability to resist a foreign power’s undue exertions of leverage. — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Many of the experts surveyed noted that, along with healthcare and economic headwinds, there is an undue caretaking burden placed on women, as well as insufficient services and protections for women of color and LGBTQIA+ women. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

With a few other liberal Democrats, nicknamed the Grizzlies, Sher would pick through turgid language of legislation looking for provisions that reflected the undue influence of special interests. — Dan Morain, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

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