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
Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Their relationship is both intrinsically unequal and romantic, one of many fraught attachments in Laing’s historical novel.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In deeply unequal ways, the new era of networked industrialization and electrification began to alleviate the conditions of scarcity that had rendered many communities so vulnerable to the climatic disruptions of the LIA.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet many of their own colleagues are not getting paid — and likely won't be until the shutdown is over — creating an unequal playing field among federal employees that grows more slanted as the shutdown continues.
—Jenny Abamu, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unequal
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Adjective
Public health efforts have been especially caught up in red tape, since many focus on populations bearing an unequal burden of death, disease and injury.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Their relationship is both intrinsically unequal and romantic, one of many fraught attachments in Laing’s historical novel.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In deeply unequal ways, the new era of networked industrialization and electrification began to alleviate the conditions of scarcity that had rendered many communities so vulnerable to the climatic disruptions of the LIA.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet many of their own colleagues are not getting paid — and likely won't be until the shutdown is over — creating an unequal playing field among federal employees that grows more slanted as the shutdown continues.
—Jenny Abamu, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unequal
Cite this Entry
“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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