unequal

1 of 3

adjective

un·​equal ˌən-ˈē-kwəl How to pronounce unequal (audio)
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 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'dWilliam Shakespeare

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
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.
Adjective
That unequal access to monitoring stations leads to disparities in the global ionospheric mapping accuracy. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024 The unequal recovery since the Great Recession and frustration that costly college degrees haven’t always yielded meaningful returns have only hardened those attitudes. Maria Flynn, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Lion versus warthog may sound like an unequal battle, but an enraged mother's tusk can put a predator out of action for a week or two – a dangerous furlough for an animal that must hunt to survive. Holden Frith, The Week Uk, theweek, 26 Oct. 2024 One way to tackle the unequal distribution of trees across Los Angeles is to plant more of them in places lacking a robust canopy, like East and South L.A. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unequal 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unequal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unequal

Cite this Entry

“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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
3
: badly balanced or matched
an unequal fight
4
: inadequate, insufficient
unequal to the task
unequally
-kwə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unequal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!