undue

/ˈʌnˌdu/

/ənˈdu/

When something isn't appropriate or justified, you can describe it as undue. For example, an undue delay in a hospital waiting room can be dangerous for someone with a bad injury.

Something that's undue isn't warranted or, often, fair. The phrase "undue delay" is a common one, and it means that someone has to wait way too long for something, whether it's a building permit or a dentist appointment. The adjective has come to mean "excessive," from its original definition in the fourteenth century as literally "not owing" or "not payable."

Definitions of undue

1. adjective

   not appropriate or proper (or even legal) in the circumstances
   “undue influence”

   “I didn't want to show undue excitement”

   “accused of using undue force”

   antonyms:

   due

   suitable to or expected in the circumstances
2. adjective

   lacking justification or authorization
   “desire for undue private profit”

   synonyms: unjustified, unwarranted

   unreasonable

   not reasonable; not showing good judgment
3. adjective

   beyond normal limits
   “his dress stops just short of undue elegance”

   synonyms: excessive, inordinate, unreasonable

   immoderate

   beyond reasonable limits
4. adjective

   not yet payable
   “an undue loan”

   antonyms:

   due

   owed and payable immediately or on demand

   callable

   subject to a demand for payment before due date

   cod, collect

   payable by the recipient on delivery

   collectable, collectible, payable

   subject to or requiring payment especially as specified

   delinquent, overdue

   past due; not paid at the scheduled time

   receivable

   awaiting payment

   out-of-pocket

   calling for the spending of cash

   repayable

   subject to repayment