unequal

1 of 3

adjective

un·​equal ˌən-ˈē-kwəl 

1

a

: not of the same measurement, quantity, or number as another

b

: not like or not the same as another in degree, worth, or status

2

: not uniform : variable, uneven

3

a

: badly balanced or matched

an unequal contest

b

: contracted between unequals

unequal marriages

c

archaic : not equable

4

archaic : not equitable : unjust

5

: inadequate, insufficient

unequal to the task

unequally

ˌən-ˈē-kwə-lē 

adverb

unequal

2 of 3

noun

: one that is not equal to another

unequal

3 of 3

adverb

archaic

: in an unequal manner

unequal match'd

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Adjective

• changing
• erratic
• fluctuating
• irregular
• uneven
• unstable
• unsteady
• varying

Examples of unequal in a Sentence

Adjective

unequal academic standards for male and female students

unequal justice based on race

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This followed what became known as the 1942 Burma Road Riot, a two-day riot in which Black Bahamian laborers protested in response to unequal pay in the building of two British military air bases in New Providence. —Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024

Despite the growing fanbase, there is a harsh reality: unequal pay, unpredictable earnings, and different treatment from the men’s team counterparts have put a significant amount of stress on female athletes. —Brook Choulet, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

The New York Constitution currently protects against unequal treatment based on race, color, creed and religion. —Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024

These unequal trends have combined to produce a historic progressive victory in the national culture war. —Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

circa 1573, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1604, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unequal

adjective

un·​equal

ˌən-ˈē-kwəl,

ˈən-

1

a

: not of the same measurement, quantity, or number as another

b

: not like or not the same as another in value or worth

2

: variable entry 1 sense 3, uneven

3

: badly balanced or matched

an unequal fight

4

: inadequate, insufficient

unequal to the task

unequally

-kwə-lē

adverb