Disproportion

//dɪspɹəˈpɔːʃən// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The state of being out of proportion; an abnormal or improper ratio; an imbalance. countable, uncountable

    "[…] a handsome creature, remarkably so, with features so symmetrical […] that a micrometer gauge could scarcely find a disproportion in her smooth and broad mahogany-coloured face."

  2. 2
    lack of proportion; imbalance among the parts of something wordnet
  3. 3
    Lack of suitableness, adequacy, or due proportion to an end or use; unsuitableness. countable, uncountable

    "the disproportion of strength or means to an object"

Verb
  1. 1
    To make unsuitable in quantity, form, or fitness; to violate symmetry in; to mismatch. transitive

    "To shape my legs of an unequal size; / To disproportion me in every part."

Synonyms

All synonyms
ambiguityambivalenceanamorphismanamorphosisantinomyasymmetry

Example

More examples

"I think the one thing this picture shows that's new is the psychological disproportion of the kids' demands on the parents. Parents are often at fault, but the kids have some work to do, too."

Etymology

From dis- + proportion.

Related phrases

cephalopelvic disproportion

More for "disproportion"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.