proportionate

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce proportionate (audio)
proportionately adverb

proportionate

2 of 2

verb

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-shə-ˌnāt How to pronounce proportionate (audio)
proportionated; proportionating

transitive verb

: to make proportionate : proportion

Examples of proportionate in a Sentence

Adjective Each investor will receive a proportionate share of the profits. expect financial returns proportionate to your efforts
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The theatrical releases that saw the highest median return on investment (ROI) in 2023 were those whose casts reflected racial representation proportionate to the real-world U.S. population, according to the latest Hollywood Diversity Report from UCLA. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 In the American imagination, the number of suits a person owns is proportionate to their wealth and influence. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024 Striking employees are demanding a salary increase proportionate to revenue from ticket sales. Nicolas Garriga, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 This demands a proportionate public-policy response, one that enables law enforcement to prosecute the criminals and criminal organizations responsible. Maureen Flatley, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 But according to the Black and Missing Foundation, the media coverage of white and minority victims is far from proportionate. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2023 Chris Field, the director of Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment, cautioned the benefit of changes around your home are often proportionate to its size. Kate Selig and Emily Guskin, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Aug. 2023 This would create a serious risk of the jury simply guessing about proportionate substitution and ultimately the… fees to consumers. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 29 Aug. 2023 The aim would be to ensure that any civilian harm was proportionate to the military advantage expected. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023
Verb
France’s two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. Sylvie Corbet, BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2022 The two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 12 June 2022 France's two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. Sylvie Corbet, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2022 The French system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. Thomas Adamson, ajc, 11 June 2022 For all the many colorful balls of powers whizzing through the sky, the action still felt relatively grounded and proportionate for what the show has been up to this point. Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2021 So far, China’s officials have kept their responses to the U.S. actions proportionate, for instance closing the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu when the Chinese Consulate in Houston was shut. Bob Davis, WSJ, 16 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proportionate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English proporcionate, borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnātus, past participle of prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions, make proportional" — more at proportion entry 2

Verb

in part derivative of proportionate entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnātus, past participle of prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions, make proportional" — more at proportion entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proportionate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proportionate

Cite this Entry

“Proportionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proportionate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proportionate

adjective
pro·​por·​tion·​ate
p(r)ə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət,
-ˈpȯr-
proportionately adverb

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