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

Related All the news about EV charging in the US Both Powell and Zhang want to avoid causing undue alarm over the impact EV charging can have on the grid — particularly as EV adoption faces partisan attacks. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 29 May 2024

To ensure that there is always a balance of power and that no one branch of government, whether legislative, judicial or executive, can exert undue influence over the people, our three branches of government were established. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 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