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

The winter wind was cold but my wife and I had worked out a system that permitted us to do our ice fishing without undue discomfort. —Wilson H. Stover, Outdoor Life, 5 Dec. 2024

The accusations of corruption and undue influence, if not worse, would be deafening. —Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024

Union leadership has always denied any undue influence from Boras. —Evan Drellich, The Athletic, 5 Dec. 2024

His wife, Kim Keon-hee, appeared to exercise undue control over the executive office, and was credibly accused of graft, bribery, and election interference. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2024

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