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
Similarly, Sage’s (Susan Heyward) reverse heel turn and Ashley’s (Colby Minifie) life-saving assistance in the West Wing are apparently good enough deeds to spare these savory villains a more commensurate sentence.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
The news comes a few months after Prime Video India today unveiled a massive slate of original TV shows, feature films and licensed content, as leading international execs at the streamer outlined ambitions commensurate to the content.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 May 2026
So, again, the United States government has been consistent throughout all administrations since 1979 in providing arms to Taiwan, according to the Taiwan Relations Act, which is selling arms commensurate to the threat that Taiwan receives.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
The deals allegedly didn’t include goods or services offered to the general public for profit, didn’t activate the athletes’ NIL rights and didn’t reflect pay rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to other athletes in similar deals.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commensurate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
The news comes a few months after Prime Video India today unveiled a massive slate of original TV shows, feature films and licensed content, as leading international execs at the streamer outlined ambitions commensurate to the content.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 May 2026
So, again, the United States government has been consistent throughout all administrations since 1979 in providing arms to Taiwan, according to the Taiwan Relations Act, which is selling arms commensurate to the threat that Taiwan receives.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
The deals allegedly didn’t include goods or services offered to the general public for profit, didn’t activate the athletes’ NIL rights and didn’t reflect pay rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to other athletes in similar deals.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commensurate
Cite this Entry
“Commensurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commensurate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
