Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation: Describing a price, cost, demand, or amount that is unreasonably and excessively high, far beyond what is considered fair, normal, or justifiable.

Usage

The adjective "exorbitant" is used to criticize or highlight an extreme and unreasonable excess, most commonly in relation to financial costs. It carries a strong negative connotation of unfairness or greed. It typically modifies nouns like price, cost, fee, rent, charge, rate, amount, demand, or claim.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The hotel charges exorbitant prices for bottled water.
  • They were forced to pay an exorbitant interest rate on the loan.
  • Her exorbitant demands made the negotiations impossible.

Advanced Usage

• "to be exorbitant": to be unreasonably high.
  • The legal fees were simply exorbitant.
• "exorbitant to the point of...": emphasizing the extreme degree.
  • The rent is exorbitant to the point of being unpayable for most residents.

Variants and Related Words

• Exorbitantly (adverb): in an exorbitant manner.
  • The property is exorbitantly priced.
• Exorbitance (noun, less common): the quality of being exorbitant.
  • The exorbitance of the bill shocked everyone.

Synonyms

• Extortionate: Suggesting a price so high it is akin to theft or blackmail.
• Outrageous: Shockingly excessive or offensive.
• Unconscionable: Not right or reasonable; shockingly unfair.
• Usurious: Pertaining to illegally or immorally high interest rates on loans.
• Prohibitive: So high as to prevent purchase or use.

Antonyms

• Reasonable
• Moderate
• Fair
• Justifiable

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Charge/pay an arm and a leg": (Informal idiom) To charge or pay a very high price. While not containing the word "exorbitant," it describes a similar concept.
  • They charge an arm and a leg for a simple coffee there.

Adjective

1. greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
   • exorbitant rent
   • extortionate prices
   • spends an outrageous amount on entertainment
   • usurious interest rate
   • unconscionable spending