exorbitant 🔊
Meaning of exorbitant
Exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; excessively high.
Key Difference
While 'exorbitant' emphasizes something being unreasonably high, often in cost or demand, its synonyms may vary in intensity or context (e.g., 'expensive' is milder, while 'outrageous' implies shock or indignation).
Example of exorbitant
- The exorbitant price of the concert tickets left many fans disappointed.
- Some landlords charge exorbitant rents in prime city locations.
Synonyms
expensive 🔊
Meaning of expensive
Costing a lot of money.
Key Difference
'Expensive' is a general term for high cost, while 'exorbitant' implies an extreme and unreasonable price.
Example of expensive
- The new smartphone is expensive but worth the investment.
- Eating at luxury restaurants can be expensive for most people.
outrageous 🔊
Meaning of outrageous
Shockingly excessive or unacceptable.
Key Difference
'Outrageous' carries a stronger emotional tone, often implying moral indignation, unlike 'exorbitant,' which focuses on excessiveness.
Example of outrageous
- The CEO's outrageous salary sparked protests among employees.
- The hotel charged an outrageous fee for a simple bottle of water.
extravagant 🔊
Meaning of extravagant
Lacking restraint in spending; excessively elaborate.
Key Difference
'Extravagant' can describe lavishness in behavior or design, while 'exorbitant' is strictly about excessive amounts (usually monetary).
Example of extravagant
- The wedding was extravagant, with decorations costing a fortune.
- His extravagant taste in cars left him in debt.
unreasonable 🔊
Meaning of unreasonable
Not guided by sensible judgment.
Key Difference
'Unreasonable' is broader and can apply to behavior or demands, whereas 'exorbitant' is specifically about excessive amounts.
Example of unreasonable
- The boss made unreasonable demands on the employees' time.
- Paying an unreasonable sum for a basic service is frustrating.
steep 🔊
Meaning of steep
High in price or level.
Key Difference
'Steep' is a more informal term for high costs, while 'exorbitant' suggests an extreme and unjustifiable amount.
Example of steep
- The hike in fuel prices was too steep for many drivers.
- College tuition fees have become increasingly steep.
prohibitive 🔊
Meaning of prohibitive
So high as to prevent use or purchase.
Key Difference
'Prohibitive' emphasizes deterrence due to high cost, while 'exorbitant' focuses on the excessiveness itself.
Example of prohibitive
- The prohibitive cost of healthcare prevents many from seeking treatment.
- Import taxes made the product's price prohibitive for local buyers.
inflated 🔊
Meaning of inflated
Artificially increased beyond normal value.
Key Difference
'Inflated' suggests artificial or exaggerated pricing, while 'exorbitant' simply denotes extreme excess.
Example of inflated
- The inflated real estate prices made homeownership difficult.
- Some sellers list products at inflated prices during shortages.
unconscionable 🔊
Meaning of unconscionable
Unreasonably excessive; morally unacceptable.
Key Difference
'Unconscionable' implies ethical wrongdoing, whereas 'exorbitant' is neutral but emphasizes extreme excess.
Example of unconscionable
- The lawyer's fees were unconscionable for the minimal work done.
- Charging unconscionable interest rates exploits vulnerable borrowers.
sky-high 🔊
Meaning of sky-high
Extremely high in amount or degree.
Key Difference
'Sky-high' is informal and hyperbolic, while 'exorbitant' is formal and precise.
Example of sky-high
- After the storm, the demand for generators sent prices sky-high.
- Celebrity endorsements can drive product prices sky-high.
Conclusion
- 'Exorbitant' is best used when describing costs or demands that are unreasonably excessive, often implying unfairness.
- 'Expensive' can be used in everyday situations where cost is high but not necessarily unjustified.
- Use 'outrageous' when the excessiveness is shocking or morally unacceptable.
- 'Extravagant' fits when describing lavish spending or over-the-top displays of wealth.
- 'Unreasonable' is broader and applies to demands or behavior beyond just financial contexts.
- 'Steep' works in casual conversations about high prices without strong judgment.
- 'Prohibitive' should be used when high costs actively prevent access or participation.
- 'Inflated' is appropriate when prices are artificially raised beyond fair value.
- 'Unconscionable' is strongest when ethical wrongdoing is involved in excessive pricing.
- 'Sky-high' is a colloquial alternative for dramatic emphasis on extreme prices.