unequal

1 of 3

adjective

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

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

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

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

Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman uses her new book, The Double Tax, to demonstrate how gender and race intersect to create an unequal economic burden. —Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

But for one Reddit user, a second wedding anniversary became a painful reminder of unequal effort. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, 75% of Gen Z employees are using AI to upskill—far more than any other generation—yet unequal access to formal training risks creating a new digital divide. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025

Under Menon’s handling of the story, the film will aim to expose the dynamics of class and race at play in an unequal romantic relationship. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

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