Synonyms of uneven

uneven

adjective

ˌən-ˈē-vən 

1

as in jagged

not having a level or smooth surface

the driveway is uneven and collects water in several large puddles whenever it rains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jagged
• rough
• rugged
• broken
• irregular
• ragged
• bumpy
• lumpy
• wavy
• coarse
• roughened
• pebbly
• scraggy
• lopsided
• unbalanced
• rutted
• harsh
• undulating
• inexact
• pitted
• nonuniform
• unaligned
• undulatory
• pocked
• knobby
• scratchy
• rutty
• knobbly
• nubby
• scraggly
• knurled
• nubbly
• sandpapery
• burred
• knurly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smooth
• flat
• level
• uniform
• even
• exact
• regular
• true
• aligned
• vertical
• horizontal
• plane
• straight
• alined
• tabular
• flush
• plumb

2

as in changing

not staying constant

the level of attendance at the ballpark has been very uneven this season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• changing
• varying
• unequal
• unstable
• inconsistent
• erratic
• volatile
• changeful
• irregular
• unsteady
• fluctuating
• variable
• uncertain
• capricious
• unsettled
• choppy
• mercurial
• changeable
• fluid
• fickle
• inconstant
• mutable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• constant
• stable
• steady
• regular
• unchanging
• unvarying
• changeless

3

as in crooked

inclined or twisted to one side

a goofy guy with an uneven grin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crooked
• tilted
• oblique
• lopsided
• tipping
• skewed
• listing
• slanted
• awry
• slanting
• out of plumb
• pitched
• crazy
• askew
• distorted
• asymmetric
• asymmetrical
• off-kilter
• unbalanced
• aslant
• unsymmetrical
• cockeyed
• off plumb
• slantwise
• atilt
• irregular
• disordered
• cock-a-hoop
• contorted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• level
• straight
• regular
• even
• uniform
• orderly
• balanced
• symmetrical
• symmetric
• ordered

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective uneven contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of uneven are harsh, rough, rugged, and scabrous. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

When is harsh a more appropriate choice than uneven?

The synonyms harsh and uneven are sometimes interchangeable, but harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

In what contexts can rough take the place of uneven?

While in some cases nearly identical to uneven, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When could rugged be used to replace uneven?

The words rugged and uneven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When is it sensible to use scabrous instead of uneven?

While the synonyms scabrous and uneven are close in meaning, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of uneven

Methane pollution is uneven; some wells release a lot, and some release none. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025

This can create an uneven balance where one person ends up carrying most of the emotional weight. —Meg Walters, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025

Nationally, learning loss recovery has been slow and uneven, especially among students of color, Axios' Russell Contreras reported. —Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025

This, coupled with the indirect cooking required when smoking, led to uneven cooking times. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025