Unverhältnismäßiges

Unverhältnismäßiges is a German adjective meaning disproportionate or not proportionate. It is used to describe actions, measures, or means that do not adequately relate to the pursued objective, or that impose burdens far beyond the expected benefit. In everyday language it is often employed to criticize responses that appear excessive or excessive in relation to the situation.

Originating from Verhältnis (relation, proportion) with the negating prefix un- and the suffix -mäßig, unverhältnismäßig is common in both formal and colloquial usage. The related noun form is Verhältnismäßigkeit.

In legal contexts the term frequently appears in reference to theVerhältnismäßigkeitsprinzip, the principle of proportionality. This principle requires state measures to be suitable, necessary, and proportionate in the sense of balancing the pursued aim against the burdens or harms caused. If a measure fails any of these criteria, it can be described as unverhältnismäßig. The three-step test—Geeignetheit (suitability), Erforderlichkeit (necessity), and Angemessenheit (proportionality in the narrow sense)—is often invoked in German constitutional and administrative jurisprudence.

Beyond law, unverhältnismäßiges is used in politics, public discourse, and ethics to characterize actions deemed excessive or not commensurate with stated goals. Examples include unverhältnismäßige Polizeimaßnahmen, unverhältnismäßige Sanktionen, or unverhältnismäßiges Zwangsverhalten.

See also: Verhältnismäßigkeit, Verhältnismäßigkeitsprinzip, Proportionalität. The term carries a normative tone and is frequently used to argue for restraint or revision of policies that are judged not to respect proportionality.