uhn-REE-zuh-nuh-blee
/əˈnɹizənəbli/
unreasonably is pronounced uhn-REE-zuh-nuh-blee (/əˈnɹizənəbli/). Unreasonably means to an extent or in a manner that is not guided by reason or logic, often exceeding what is rational or typical. It describes actions, beliefs, or judgments that appear irrational or extreme. The term emphasizes excessiveness beyond what would be considered sensible or justified.
Unreasonably means to an extent or in a manner that is not guided by reason or logic, often exceeding what is rational or typical. It describes actions, beliefs, or judgments that appear irrational or extreme. The term emphasizes excessiveness beyond what would be considered sensible or justified.
You’ll notice better clarity when you consciously separate syllables: un- / riː / zən / ə / bli, with the main stress on /riː/.
"Her demand was unreasonably high given the limited resources."
"The court ruled that the penalty was unreasonably harsh."
"He acted unreasonably when he refused to listen to any alternative proposal."
Pronounce as /ʌnˈriː.zən.ə.bli/ (US/UK), with primary stress on the second syllable. Start with a short, relaxed 'uh' sound, then lift into the long
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting main stress on the first syllable), saying 'un-REAS-on-ably' with a delayed vowel in the second syllable, and merging the 'z' and 'ə' into '__ zən.uh-'. Correction: keep primary stress on the second syllable, pronounce 'reason' as /ˈriː.zən/, pronounce the 'i' as a long 'ee' and clearly articulate the schwa in the second 'o' position, then end with /bli/ or /b.li/ depending on rhythm.
US tends to: /ʌnˈriː.zən.ə.bli/ with clear /r/ and rhoticity. UK often shares /ˈriː.zən.ə.bli/ with slightly reduced vowel length before z, and a non-rhotic or less pronounced /r/ in some regional varieties. AU often emphasizes a clipped final /li/ and a slightly tighter /ə/ in the middle; overall rhythm is similar but with subtly different vowel qualities.
Two main challenges: a) maintaining the long /iː/ in 'reason' without turning it into a diphthong, and b) balancing the three syllables after the stressed second syllable with clear 'z' and 'ə' sounds. The sequence /riː.zən.ə/ requires precise vowel length control and a smooth, quick transition between syllables to avoid 'un-REAS-on-ably' mispronunciations.
Does 'unreasonably' ever reduce vowel sounds in natural speech? Yes, in rapid speech, the /ɪ/ in 'un' or the /ə/ in the middle may be reduced slightly toward a schwa, but the primary stress and the /riː/ vowel should remain distinct to maintain intelligibility; aim to keep /riː/ as a clear, long vowel for contrast with surrounding words.
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Unreasonably is formed from the prefix un- (a negative or opposite), the base noun/ adjective reason, and the adverbial suffix -ly. The root reason derives from Old French raison, from Latin ratio meaning a calculation, reckoning, or rationale. The prefix un- has Germanic origins and serves to negate or opposite the base word. The adverbial -ly converts the adjective uneasy or rational qualities into an adverb describing manner, degree, or extent. The compound first appears in English in the early modern period as a way to express excessiveness that defies rational judgment. Over time, unreasonably has been used to tag actions, expectations, or beliefs that far surpass what would be considered reasonable, especially in legal, ethical, or social critique. The evolution reflects growing sensitivity to rational governance, policy thresholds, and social expectations where “unreasonably” signals objection to norms, rules, or evidence-backed conclusions. First known uses appear in 16th- to 17th-century prose, with increasing frequency in legal and philosophical writings as debates about rational limits became more formalized.
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Help others use "unreasonably" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "unreasonably" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "unreasonably" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "unreasonably"
-bly sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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