unequal

1 of 3

adjective

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

2

: not uniform : variable, uneven

unequal pulsations

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

unequally

ˌən-ˈē-kwə-lē 

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'd …

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms of unequal

Adjective

• changing
• uneven
• varying

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

Adjective

Similarly, the National Women’s Law Center reports in 2023, that based on current wage disparities, a Black woman starting her career today could lose around $907,680 over a 40-year working lifetime, simply because of unequal pay. —Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Their fortunes exist thanks to decades of wage suppression, privatization, and unequal exchange. —Joe Wilkins Published Jan 22, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026

Examples include a husband having the legal right to restrict his wife’s travel and employment, unequal divorce rights and punishment for appearing in public without a hijab ranging from fines to prison time to flogging. —Ellie Austin, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026

Then there’s complicity in the Gaza genocide, reneging on promises to address unequal pensions for British women, etc. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for unequal

• coequal
• subequal
• equal
• sequel

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

: variable entry 1 sense 3, uneven

3

: badly balanced or matched

an unequal fight

4

: inadequate, insufficient

unequal to the task

unequally

-kwə-lē

adverb