commensurate
adjective
com·men·su·rate
kə-ˈmen(t)s-rət 
-ˈmen(t)sh-;
-ˈmen(t)-sə-,
-shə-
1
: corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate
was given a job commensurate with her abilities
2
: equal in measure or extent : coextensive
lived a life commensurate with the early years of the republic
commensurately
adverb
Did you know?
Commensurate comes from the Latin word for the act of measuring, mensūra. That noun is based on mensus, the past participle of the verb mētīrī," meaning "to determine the extent of."
Examples of commensurate in a Sentence
Because the effects of tobacco are slow—and iterative—and produce diseases that have other causes and explanations, often later in life, they seldom arouse fear commensurate with their impact.
—
Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, (2007) 2009
The last of the string family, the double bass, is the largest of all and must be played standing. Because it is seen in jazz bands, it has recently taken on an importance more nearly commensurate with its size.
—Aaron Copland, What to Listen for in Music, (1957) 1988
… athletes are rewarded commensurate with their fame, not their intrinsic talent …
—Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 21 Dec. 1987
I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at a commensurate speed.
—Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
Her new position came with a commensurate level of responsibility.
was given a job commensurate with her abilities and experience
Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, (2007) 2009
The last of the string family, the double bass, is the largest of all and must be played standing. Because it is seen in jazz bands, it has recently taken on an importance more nearly commensurate with its size.
—Aaron Copland, What to Listen for in Music, (1957) 1988
… athletes are rewarded commensurate with their fame, not their intrinsic talent …
—Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 21 Dec. 1987
I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at a commensurate speed.
—Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
Her new position came with a commensurate level of responsibility.
was given a job commensurate with her abilities and experience
Recent Examples on the Web
Absent other factors, a boost in earnings should directly result in a commensurate uptick in share price.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025
The challenge is finding the capital to make the loan, managing the risk effectively, and being able to create returns for people making the loans that are commensurate with the risk.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
While her sculptural and process-based works have not yet received commensurate critical attention, her book We/Wé, forthcoming from Graywolf Press, collects these projects for the first time, presenting them alongside related essays and poetry.
—Melissa Ragain, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Upon statehood, new states gain a number of seats in the House of Representatives roughly commensurate with their share of the population.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commensurate
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Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025
The challenge is finding the capital to make the loan, managing the risk effectively, and being able to create returns for people making the loans that are commensurate with the risk.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
While her sculptural and process-based works have not yet received commensurate critical attention, her book We/Wé, forthcoming from Graywolf Press, collects these projects for the first time, presenting them alongside related essays and poetry.
—Melissa Ragain, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Upon statehood, new states gain a number of seats in the House of Representatives roughly commensurate with their share of the population.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commensurate
Cite this Entry
“Commensurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commensurate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commensurate
adjective
com·men·su·rate
kə-ˈmen(t)s-(ə-)rət
-ˈmench-(ə-)rət
1
: equal in measure or extent
2
: proportional sense 1
an income commensurate with one's needs
commensurately
adverb
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