Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not guided by or based on good sense or sound judgment; illogical or unfair: Describes actions, demands, or attitudes that are not sensible, fair, or justifiable.
   • Exceeding reasonable limits; excessive or immoderate: Describes something that goes beyond what is appropriate, usual, or necessary.

Usage and Examples

• General Use (Lacking Good Judgment):

  • It is unreasonable to expect a toddler to sit still for an hour. (This expectation lacks good sense.)
  • The manager's refusal to listen to any suggestions seemed completely unreasonable. (The refusal was not fair or logical.)

• Use (Excessive or Beyond Limits):

  • They faced unreasonable delays at the airport. (The delays were excessive and beyond what is normally acceptable.)
  • The landlord is asking for an unreasonable amount of money for a security deposit. (The amount is excessively high.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Legal/Formal Context: Often used to describe demands, terms, or behavior that are not justifiable and would not be accepted by a reasonable person.
  • The court found the contract terms to be unreasonable and therefore unenforceable.
• "Unreasonably" (Adverb): In a manner not based on good sense; to an excessive degree.
  • The software is unreasonably difficult to install. (It is excessively difficult.)
  • He was unreasonably angry about a minor mistake. (His anger was not justified.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unreasonableness (Noun): The quality or state of being unreasonable.
  • The unreasonableness of his request was obvious to everyone.
• Reason (Noun/Verb): The foundation for being reasonable. (Contrasting concept)
• Reasonable (Adjective): The direct opposite, meaning fair, sensible, and moderate.

Synonyms

• Irrational: Not logical or reasonable.
• Illogical: Lacking sense or sound reasoning.
• Excessive: More than is necessary, normal, or desirable.
• Unjustifiable: Impossible to excuse or justify.
• Absurd: Wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.

Antonyms

• Reasonable: Based on good sense; fair and sensible.
• Rational: Based on or in accordance with reason or logic.
• Sensible: Done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence.
• Moderate: Average in amount, intensity, or degree; not extreme.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• To be unreasonable: A common phrase describing a person or their behavior.
  • Don't be unreasonable; we need to find a compromise.
• Make unreasonable demands/expectations: To ask for too much or for something that is not fair.
  • The client was making unreasonable demands on the team's time.

Adjective

1. beyond normal limits
   • excessive charges
   • a book of inordinate length
   • his dress stops just short of undue elegance
   • unreasonable demands
2. not reasonable; not showing good judgment