UNEVEN Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

uneven

adjective

ˌən-ˈē-vən

Definition of uneven next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in changing

not staying constant the level of attendance at the ballpark has been very uneven this season

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crooked

inclined or twisted to one side a goofy guy with an uneven grin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of uneven Kingsnorth hand-painted the leather upholstery in earthy shades of green and brown, and the effect of the patchwork construction and uneven, bulbous surface look like stitched skin. —

Morgan Meier, Curbed, 14 Dec. 2024 One thing that stands out to me is the federal government’s seeming use of fear, confusion and uncertainty—combined with very nuanced language—to target individuals, agencies and companies who, in many cases, have been trying to do the right thing by leveling the uneven playing field of the past. —

Doug Melville, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 An uneven merger landscape had a ripple effect on several players, and a sector-wide shift towards the premium end of the market left budget carriers scrambling to rethink their business models. —

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2024 Frozen grass can cause uneven cuts and make your grass extremely brittle, increasing the risk of lawn disease or even causing bare patches while mowing. —

Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uneven

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uneven

Adjective

Winding roads diving deep between steep hillsides littered with jagged deadfall and boulder-size talus, towns few and far between.

New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2024
But when a kayaking trip goes horribly wrong, Mum is suddenly gone forever and Hazel is left with crippling anxiety and a jagged scar on her face.

Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 26 Dec. 2024