undue

Undue is an adjective used to describe something that is unwarranted, improper, or more than what is due in a given context. It signals that the action, effect, or expectation exceeds what is appropriate or justified by the facts. Although common in everyday speech, undue is especially prevalent in formal and legal writing, where precision about what is considered excessive matters for rights and obligations.

In law and related fields, undue appears in several established phrases. Undue influence refers to improper persuasion that overbears another's judgment, often compromising the validity of contracts, gifts, wills, or powers of attorney. Undue enrichment occurs when one party gains at another's expense in a way that the law regards as unjust. Undue burden or undue delay describes constraints or process steps that are disproportionate or unwarranted, potentially affecting the legality or feasibility of actions or regulations. In some jurisdictions, undue risk is used to flag harms that outweigh benefits in regulatory or fiduciary contexts.

Etymology traces undue to the combination of un- with due, signaling that something is not owed or not deserved. The term conveys judgment about proportion and fairness and is often contrasted with due, deserved, or warranted. In everyday usage, it remains a way to condemn excess, improper influence, or unfair advantages in both personal and institutional settings.