1
Unreasonable price
Costing far more than the item, service, or circumstances can reasonably justify.
Example
The medication's exorbitant price placed it beyond the reach of many patients.
exorbitant
/ɪɡˈzɔːrbɪtənt/ · ig-ZOR-bih-tuhntadjective
Unreasonably high or excessive.
Use exorbitant for a price, fee, cost, rate, or demand that greatly exceeds what is fair or reasonable.
What exorbitant Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Excessive fee or rate
Charging an amount that is disproportionately high relative to normal practice.
Example
Borrowers were trapped by exorbitant fees and interest rates.
3
Extreme demand or amount
Requiring or consuming far more than is acceptable, not only in monetary contexts.
Example
The supplier demanded an exorbitant share of the project's limited budget.
Use exorbitant Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Residents protested the exorbitant cost of the proposed stadium.
The medication's exorbitant price placed it beyond the reach of many patients.
Travellers avoided the service after it imposed exorbitant cancellation fees.
Precision Matters
Exorbitant overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
exorbitant
vs.Adds the judgement that the high amount is unreasonable.
expensive
Simply means costing a great deal.
exorbitant
vs.Commonly modifies prices, fees, rates, costs, and demands.
excessive
Broadly means more than is necessary, normal, or desirable.
exorbitant
vs.Judges the amount as unfairly or irrationally high.
prohibitive
Emphasises that a cost is high enough to prevent an action.
exorbitant
vs.Carries a negative judgement of too much.
copious
Means abundant and may be neutral or positive.
Test exorbitant in Context
The price is not merely high; it is vastly above comparable prices and creates an unfair barrier.
1
Although comparable medicines cost about ₹500 per dose, the sole supplier charged ₹11,000, an exorbitant price that placed the treatment beyond many patients’ reach.
As used in the text, “exorbitant” most nearly means…