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
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
: one that is not equal to another
archaic
: in an unequal manner
unequal match'd—
William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareExamples of unequal in a Sentence
Adjective
unequal academic standards for male and female students
unequal justice based on race
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Schwing, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2025
In a country marred with unequal land distribution based on race, the government uses expropriation as a tool to address systemic land inequality and dispossession.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Advocates for public schools and teachers said eliminating the DOE would be a disaster that would leave children behind in an American education system that’s fundamentally unequal.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
In fact, Davis doesn’t believe adopting a cumulative voting system would fully solve the issue of unequal representation.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unequal
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Adjective
The state’s Indigenous children suffer the greatest consequences because most rural school districts are predominantly Alaska Native — a population that was long forced to attend separate and unequal schools.
—Emily Schwing, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2025
In a country marred with unequal land distribution based on race, the government uses expropriation as a tool to address systemic land inequality and dispossession.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Advocates for public schools and teachers said eliminating the DOE would be a disaster that would leave children behind in an American education system that’s fundamentally unequal.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
In fact, Davis doesn’t believe adopting a cumulative voting system would fully solve the issue of unequal representation.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unequal
Cite this Entry
“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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