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Proportionate is most generally used to describe different things (or different elements of the same thing) that are considered to be properly balanced in some way.

In other words, it’s used to describe things that are said to match in terms of proportions—the relation between different parts, or their relative size or amount.

The word proportional is a close synonym that can often be used to mean the same thing.

Describing things as proportionate doesn’t necessarily mean they are exactly the same (in size, amount, etc.). Instead, it typically means they are matched or balanced according to what’s thought to be a proper or ideal ratio, or according to real-life dimensions, or in some other way considered appropriate.

In some cases, describing something as proportionate is the same as saying that it’s properly proportioned—that it has the proper dimensions or dimensional ratio.

For example, artists often study so that they can draw proportionate representations of the human body in which the body has the same proportions that it does in real life.

The word can also be applied to intangible things. In military conflicts, a proportionate response is one that is thought to match the level of force of the action that preceded it. In law, the word is often used to describe consequences in relation to committing an illegal act—a sentence is supposed to be proportionate to the crime.

The opposite, disproportionate, is used to describe things whose proportions are not even or do not match. For example, a drawing of a person with a normal-sized body but an unusually large head could be described as disproportionate because it doesn’t correspond to the average dimensions of a real body.

Less commonly, proportionate is used as a verb meaning to make things proportionate (balanced or matching in such a way).

Example: I was raised to believe that success is proportionate to hard work.

The first records of the term proportionate come from the 1300s. The base word, proportion, comes from a Latin word meaning “symmetry” or “analogy.” The root portion means “part.” The suffix -ate is added to nouns to create adjectives.

What are some other forms related to proportionate?

• proportionately (adverb)
• disproportionate (adjective)
• nonproportionate (adjective)
• nonproportionately (adverb)

What are some synonyms for proportionate?

• proportional
• proportioned

What are some words that share a root or word element with proportionate?

• proportion
• proportionment

What are some words that often get used in discussing proportionate?

• consequence
• price
• scale
• size
• value

Proportionate can be used in any context. It’s often applied in relation to size, amount, or dimensions, but it’s also commonly applied to intangible things.

"Your feelings are valid" does not necessarily mean "your reaction is a proportionate response to what just happened."

— Puff the Magic Hater (@MsKellyMHayes)

Do people in Ireland in the year 2020 still not understand that people who live in ‘social housing’ …… wait for it ….. ‘pay rent’ ? Proportionate to what they actually earn ? Unless of course I a mere nurse, has been accidentally paying rent for the past 19 yrs 🤷‍♀️

— polly molotov ♥️💙💚💛💜💖🍍 (@NursepollyRgn)

Why are jerks always so stupid? It’s like their jerkiness is directly proportionate to their dumbness.

— Dallon Weekes (@DallonWeekes)

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Is proportionate used correctly in the following sentence?

Sending someone to jail for life is not a proportionate punishment for stealing a loaf of bread.