If you describe something bad as undue, you mean that it is greater or more extreme than you think is reasonable or appropriate.
This would help the families to survive the drought without undue suffering.
It might give the Commission undue influence over the coming negotiations.
It is unrealistic to put undue pressure on ourselves by saying we are the best.
Synonyms: excessive, too much, inappropriate, extreme More Synonyms of undue
undue in British English
(ʌnˈdjuː)
adjective
1.
excessive or unwarranted
2.
unjust, improper, or illegal
3.
(of a debt, bond, etc) not yet payable
▶ USAGE The use of undue in sentences such as there is no cause for undue alarm is redundant and should be avoided
undue in American English
(ʌnˈdu; ʌnˈdju)
adjective
1.
not yet due or payable, as a debt
2.
not appropriate or suitable; improper
3.
excessive; immoderate
Examples of 'undue' in a sentence
undue
But she said claims of a whitewash were insulting and said she came under'no pressure or undue influence '.
The Sun (2016)
When does one cross the line between offering encouragement and exerting undue pressure?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The reality of undue influence is inescapable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Slow drivers cause many motorists to take undue risks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If so how do you ensure this does not lead to undue pressure being put on suppliers?
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
He must sign it voluntarily and without undue influence by others.
Laszlo, John (MD) Understanding Cancer (1987)
Racing presents enough inherent hazards without undue risks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In this case it may be possible to remove it without undue risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Transport campaigners and the main passenger watchdog say that the rises will put undue pressure on household budgets.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Opponents argue that changing the law would effectively legalise killing and risks putting vulnerable people under undue pressure.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Officials said that the victims were experienced skiers who were well equipped and had not taken undue risks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We must respect that and shouldn't be attempting to use undue influence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But the fact he is from the Wirral might place him under undue pressure.
The Sun (2006)
He also agreed not to exercise undue influence on the Ibrox board.
The Sun (2015)
If it has been around a little while, there is no undue pressure to make an offer.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If the saddle panels are incorrectly stuffed then undue pressure or friction on the horse's back will result.
Eccles, Lesley Your First Horse - buying, feeding, caring (1989)
Under the new code, bosses must not put their staff under undue pressure and must pay for financial advice.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Don't take undue money risks.
The Sun (2015)
The US legal system is highly politicised and thus vulnerable to undue influence from wealthy business and individuals.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Obviously, you shouldn't take undue risks just for the sake of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Your son was clearly put under aggressive and therefore undue influence when he agreed to sell his TV and laptop.
The Sun (2015)
For City, undue risk has become a dirty phrase.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is a party in which trade unions that represent a diminishing percentage of the US workforce exercise undue influence.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If you feel the adolescent can skip a grade without undue suffering, the best time to make this move is when other adolescents are also changing schools.
Steinberg, Laurence & Levine, Ann You and Your Adolescent: A Parents' Guide for Ages 10 to 20 (1990)
In other languages
undue
British English: undue ADJECTIVE
If you describe something bad as undue, you mean that it is greater or more extreme than you think is reasonable or appropriate.
This would help the families to survive the drought without undue suffering.
American English: undue
Brazilian Portuguese: excessivo
Chinese: 过分的
European Spanish: indebido
French: excessif
German: übermäßig
Italian: eccessivo
Japanese: 過度の
Korean: 지나친
European Portuguese: excessivo
Latin American Spanish: indebido
(adjective)
Definition
greater than is reasonable
It might give them undue influence over the coming negotiations.
Synonyms
excessive
The length of the prison sentence was excessive considering the nature of the crime.
too much
inappropriate
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
extreme
his extreme political views
unnecessary
The slaughter of whales is unnecessary and inhuman.
extravagant
I was extravagant in my admiration of them.
needless
Our families thought I was taking a needless risk.
unsuitable
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.
improper
I maintain that I have done nothing improper.
too great
disproportionate
a disproportionate amount of time
unjustified
unwarranted
an unwarranted interference in the country's internal affairs
unseemly
It would be unseemly for judges to receive pay increases.
inordinate
They spent an inordinate amount of time talking.
undeserved
intemperate
the unwisely intemperate language of the party leader
uncalled-for
Leo's uncalled-for remarks about her cousin
overmuch
immoderate
He launched an immoderate tirade on his son.
Opposites
due
,
necessary
, appropriate,
justified
,
fitting
,
suitable
,
proper
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disproportionate
Definition
out of proportion
a disproportionate amount of time
Synonyms
excessive,
too much,
unreasonable,
uneven,
unequal,
unbalanced,
out of proportion,
inordinate,
incommensurate
in the sense of extravagant
Definition
(of behaviour or gestures) extreme, esp. in order to make a particular impression
I was extravagant in my admiration of them.
Synonyms
excessive,
exaggerated,
outrageous,
wild,
fantastic,
absurd,
foolish,
over the top (slang),
unreasonable,
preposterous,
fanciful,
unrestrained,
inordinate,
outré,
immoderate,
O.T.T. (slang)
in the sense of extreme
Definition
(of an opinion, political group, etc.) beyond the limits regarded as acceptable
his extreme political views
Synonyms
radical,
unusual,
excessive,
exceptional,
exaggerated,
outrageous,
over the top (slang),
unreasonable,
uncommon,
unconventional,
fanatical,
zealous,
out-and-out,
inordinate,
egregious,
intemperate,
immoderate,
O.T.T. (slang),
swivel-eyed (slang)
Synonyms of 'undue'
undue
Explore 'undue' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of immoderate
Definition
excessive or unreasonable
He launched an immoderate tirade on his son.
Synonyms
excessive,
extreme,
over the top (slang),
enormous,
steep (informal),
exaggerated,
extravagant,
unreasonable,
undue,
uncontrolled,
unjustified,
unwarranted,
exorbitant,
unrestrained,
profligate,
inordinate,
over the odds (informal),
egregious,
intemperate,
unconscionable,
uncalled-for,
O.T.T. (slang)
in the sense of improper
I maintain that I have done nothing improper.
Synonyms
inappropriate,
unfit,
unsuitable,
out of place,
unwarranted,
incongruous,
unsuited,
ill-timed,
uncalled-for,
inopportune,
inapplicable,
unseasonable,
inapt,
infelicitous,
inapposite,
malapropos
in the sense of inappropriate
Definition
not suitable or proper
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
Synonyms
unsuitable,
unacceptable,
unfit,
unfitting,
incompatible,
ineligible,
unsuited,
ill-fitted,
ill-suited
in the sense of inordinate
Definition
excessive
They spent an inordinate amount of time talking.
Synonyms
excessive,
unreasonable,
disproportionate,
extravagant,
undue,
preposterous,
unwarranted,
exorbitant,
unrestrained,
intemperate,
unconscionable,
immoderate
in the sense of intemperate
Definition
extreme or severe
the unwisely intemperate language of the party leader
Synonyms
excessive,
extreme,
over the top (slang),
wild,
violent,
severe,
passionate,
extravagant,
uncontrollable,
self-indulgent,
unbridled,
prodigal,
unrestrained,
tempestuous,
profligate,
inordinate,
incontinent,
ungovernable,
immoderate,
O.T.T. (slang)
in the sense of needless
Definition
not required
Our families thought I was taking a needless risk.
Synonyms
unnecessary,
excessive,
pointless,
gratuitous,
useless,
unwanted,
redundant,
superfluous,
groundless,
expendable,
uncalled-for,
dispensable,
nonessential,
undesired,
causeless
in the sense of uncalled-for
Definition
unnecessary or unwarranted
Leo's uncalled-for remarks about her cousin
Synonyms
unnecessary,
unjustified,
unwarranted,
inappropriate,
needless,
unwelcome,
unjust,
gratuitous,
unprovoked,
undeserved
in the sense of unnecessary
Definition
not essential, or more than is essential
The slaughter of whales is unnecessary and inhuman.
Synonyms
needless,
excessive,
unwarranted,
useless,
pointless,
not needed,
redundant,
wasteful,
gratuitous,
superfluous,
wanton,
expendable,
surplus to requirements,
uncalled-for,
dispensable,
unneeded,
nonessential,
inessential,
unmerited,
to no purpose,
unrequired,
supererogatory
in the sense of unseemly
Definition
not according to expected standards of behaviour
It would be unseemly for judges to receive pay increases.
Synonyms
improper,
inappropriate,
unsuitable,
out of place,
undignified,
disreputable,
unbecoming,
unrefined,
out of keeping,
discreditable,
indelicate,
in poor taste,
indecorous,
unbefitting
in the sense of unsuitable
Definition
not right or appropriate for a particular purpose
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.
Synonyms
inappropriate,
unacceptable,
unfit,
unfitting,
out of place,
improper,
incompatible,
ineligible,
incongruous,
unseemly,
out of character,
unsuited,
unbecoming,
out of keeping,
unseasonable,
unbefitting,
inapt,
infelicitous,
inapposite
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unwarranted
Definition
not justified or necessary
an unwarranted interference in the country's internal affairs