un·equal
ˌən-ˈē-kwəl 
1
a
: not of the same measurement, quantity, or number as another
boards of unequal length
b
: not like or not the same as another in degree, worth, or status
pieces of unequal workmanship
3
a
: badly balanced or matched
an unequal contest
b
: contracted between unequals
an unequal treaty
c
: not like or not the same for each member of a group or class
unequal chances for success
d
: not level
unequal ground
e
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
Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
South Africa — ranked by the World Bank as the most unequal society with unemployment stuck at 33% — has been hit by xenophobic violence, including deadly attacks on Mozambicans.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
Crawford’s allegations about selective dress-code enforcement mirror claims raised in another lawsuit filed earlier this year by a different sergeant on unequal dress code policy enforcement by the department.
—Ben Wheeler
june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Female officers say the unprecedented intervention signals a political ceiling on their careers, deepening fears about retaliation, unequal opportunity and the message sent to younger sailors considering long-term service.
—Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unequal
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Adjective
Over time, however, silence can normalize unequal treatment and reinforce workplace cultures where biased assumptions remain unexamined.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
South Africa — ranked by the World Bank as the most unequal society with unemployment stuck at 33% — has been hit by xenophobic violence, including deadly attacks on Mozambicans.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
Crawford’s allegations about selective dress-code enforcement mirror claims raised in another lawsuit filed earlier this year by a different sergeant on unequal dress code policy enforcement by the department.
—Ben Wheeler
june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Female officers say the unprecedented intervention signals a political ceiling on their careers, deepening fears about retaliation, unequal opportunity and the message sent to younger sailors considering long-term service.
—Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unequal
Cite this Entry
“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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