unconscionablyadv.
/ˌʌnˈkɒnʃn̩əbli/, /ˌʌnˈkɒnʃnəbli/, /ˌʌŋˈkɒnʃn̩əbli/, /ˌʌŋˈkɒnʃnəbli/, U.S. /ˌənˈkɑnʃ(ə)nəbli/ 1. In an unscrupulous manner; without regard for conscience; unreasonably.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > unscrupulousness > [adverb]
unconsciencely?1449
unconscionably1583
consciencelesslya1603
inconscionably1634
contraconscientiously1648
unconscientiously1649
unscrupulously1833
society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > [adverb] > unscrupulously
unconsciencely?1449
unconscionably1583
consciencelesslya1603
inconscionably1634
unconscientiously1649
untenderly1651
unscrupulously1833
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie ii. 65 If a poore man deale vnconscionably when he hath not wherewith to liue,..yet shall he bee condemned.
1631 T. Powell Tom of All Trades 30 To a good old Vsurer, or one that had got his great estate together vnconscionably.
1646 P. Bulkley Gospel-covenant iv. 298 Such as live loosely, carnally, unconscionably, doe but deceive themselves.
1795 Z. Swift Syst. Laws Connecticut I. iii. xxviii. 462 Such note was unduly and unconscionably obtained: and..the fraudulent act of suppressing the truth..furnished a strong ground of relief.
1811 Morning Post 21 Aug. The Prisoner..owed only 20l. beside the present debt, which he unconscionably endeavoured to evade.
1895 R. N. Bain H. C. Andersen 29 He fell into the hands of an old harridan who..fleeced him unconscionably.
1918 Everybody's Mag. June 27/3 The old duke..oppressed his Tortolese bitterly, unconscionably.
2006 Independent 14 Aug. (Extra section) 22/1 The line stirringly summons up a silent army, unconscionably ignored by the British media.
2. To an excessive extent or degree; exorbitantly; inordinately.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adverb] > excessively or immoderately
too971
unimeteOE
unmethelyOE
overmetec1225
un-i-methc1225
unmeetly?c1225
unmethc1225
overgarta1333
outrageouslya1387
outrageousc1390
unreasonablyc1400
outragelya1425
unmoderately?a1425
inordinatelyc1450
unrulilyc1456
dismeasurably1474
immoderately1482
overharda1500
unreasonable1535
furiously1555
intemperately1576
overliberally1578
unconscionably1583
unconscionable1596
exorbitantlya1635
undulya1779
owdaciously1848
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F3v For wheras the others inhanse the price of their hides excessiuely, these felowes, racke it very vnconcionably.
1602 in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. iii. i. 265 Her Subiects.., by the excessiue rates in the sale of all commodities, haue beene vnconscionably ouercharged.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Chesh. 171 Some have..Salt..but so unconscionably dear, that Common people have little comfort therein.
1727 J. Oldmixon Clarendon & Whitlock Compar'd ii. 94 General Ludlow is partial against the King, but not always so unconscionably as the Earl is partial for him.
1771 F. Burney Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1988) I. 166 His Visit was unconscionably long, and..I had the whole weight of it.
1834 W. Beckford Italy; with Sketches Spain & Portugal II. 54 I felt no inclination to prolong a walk which already had been prolonged unconscionably.
1863 Notes & Queries 3rd Ser. 4 214 Having trespassed unconscionably on your valuable space, I will now conclude at once.
1898 Daily News 28 Oct. 3/1 Directly the word England is mentioned, the mouths of the Continental artists are opened so unconscionably wide.
1944 G. Heyer Friday's Child xxiii. 272 He was knocking on the door of Lady Saltash's house at an unconscionably early hour next morning.
1971 Changing Times Sept. 28/2 A boy who charged his schoolmates unconscionably high prices for the extra cookies in his lunch.
1992 Analog Feb. 154/2 Clarke and Lee take an unconscionably long and dreary time to tell the tale.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1583