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 ShakespeareSynonyms
Examples of unequal in a Sentence
Adjective
unequal academic standards for male and female students
unequal justice based on race
Recent Examples on the WebRachel Poser January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 4 June 2024
Within this hierarchical and unequal framework, Kizer occupied a particularly vulnerable position in the fall of 2010.
—Sammy Sussman, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2024
In London, John Stuart Mill and other liberals struggled to reconcile the unequal and uneven justice of the empire with their vision of a government dedicated to the protection of all its citizens and subjects.
—Lauren Benton, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world, with 32% unemployed, along with soaring levels of crime.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unequal 
Adjective
Critical race theorists were a group of legal scholars in the 1970s and ’80s who documented ways that the American legal framework of racial equality was nevertheless producing unequal treatment.
—Rachel Poser January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 4 June 2024
Within this hierarchical and unequal framework, Kizer occupied a particularly vulnerable position in the fall of 2010.
—Sammy Sussman, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2024
In London, John Stuart Mill and other liberals struggled to reconcile the unequal and uneven justice of the empire with their vision of a government dedicated to the protection of all its citizens and subjects.
—Lauren Benton, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world, with 32% unemployed, along with soaring levels of crime.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unequal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unequal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
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