unduly

Unduly is an adverb meaning to an excessive or unwarranted degree; not justified or appropriate under the circumstances. It modifies adjectives, participles, or verbs to indicate that something exceeds what is proper, fair, or reasonable.

Etymology: The adverb is formed from the adjective undue, meaning unwarranted or improper, with the suffix -ly. The underlying sense is “in a manner that is not due or warranted.”

Usage: In general writing, unduly appears before adjectives or participles to signal excess. Common collocations include unduly cautious, unduly harsh, unduly influenced, or unduly burdensome. It often appears in formal, academic, or legal contexts, but can be found in journalism and policy discussions as well.

Legal and policy context: The term is frequently used in law and regulation to describe requirements or effects that are greater than necessary. For example, a regulation may be criticized as unduly burdensome if it imposes excessive costs relative to the goal. In evaluative writing, it helps convey criticism of proportionality or justification.