Proportionality Meaning

/pɹəpɔɹʃəˈnæləti/
C1

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

nounthe property of being proportional

nounthe principle that government action ought to be proportional to the ends achieved (e.g. the military should not be deployed to stop petty vandalism)

The rule of proportionality is central to the legal system.
We need to maintain a sense of proportionality in our response.
The court must consider the proportionality of the punishment to the crime.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The legal principle of ____ ensures that punishments are appropriate to the crime.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The court applied the principle of ____ to ensure the sentence was fair and not excessive.

From proportional + -ity, from Latin proportionalitas.

Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words

CEFR Practice Quiz
The legal principle of ____ ensures that punishments are appropriate to the crime.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The court applied the principle of ____ to ensure the sentence was fair and not excessive.

Expand Your Vocabulary with LexUp

Master English words using smart flashcards, play exciting word rounds, and compete with other learners worldwide.

Browse CEFR Words Alphabetically