disproportionately
Meaning: To a degree that is out of proportion to something else; to an extent that is too large or too small relative to a comparable measure.
Disproportionately is a key word in social science, policy analysis, and journalism, where it flags inequality or imbalance. 'Disproportionately affected,' 'disproportionately represented,' 'disproportionately high' — the word demands a point of comparison. It implies that a fair or expected ratio has been violated, and is central to discussions of equity, discrimination, and resource allocation. It is neutral in register but often carries a critical implication.
Examples
- Ethnic minority communities were disproportionately affected by the economic downturn, according to the Office for National Statistics. 据国家统计局数据,少数族裔社区受到经济衰退的不成比例的影响。Las comunidades de minorías étnicas se vieron desproporcionadamente afectadas por la recesión económica, según la Oficina Nacional de Estadística.国家統計局によると、少数民族のコミュニティは経済の低迷により不均衡に大きな影響を受けた。국가통계청에 따르면 소수민족 공동체는 경기 침체로 인해 불균형하게 큰 영향을 받았다.
- A disproportionately large share of the NHS budget is allocated to acute care rather than prevention. 国民医疗服务预算中不成比例的大份额被分配给了急性护理而非预防。Una proporción desproporcionadamente grande del presupuesto del servicio de salud se destina a la atención aguda en lugar de la prevención.NHSの予算のうち不釣り合いに大きな割合が、予防ではなく急性期医療に割り当てられている。NHS 예산의 불균형하게 큰 비율이 예방이 아닌 급성기 의료에 배정되고 있다.
- Women remain disproportionately underrepresented in senior leadership roles across the FTSE 100. 在富时100指数企业的高层领导职位中,女性的代表性仍然严重不足。Las mujeres siguen estando desproporcionadamente infrarrepresentadas en los puestos directivos de las empresas del FTSE 100.FTSE100企業の上級管理職において、女性は依然として不釣り合いに少ない。FTSE 100 기업 전반에서 여성은 고위 리더십 역할에 여전히 불균형하게 과소 대표되고 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, journalism, professional
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From dis- (not, apart) + proportionately, from Latin proportio (comparative relation), from pro portione (according to the share). The compound has been in English since the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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