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 Shakespeare
Synonyms
Examples of unequal in a Sentence
Adjective
unequal academic standards for male and female students
unequal justice based on race
Recent Examples on the WebEric Johnson, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
India’s economic growth, while among the strongest globally, remains deeply unequal and insufficient for the needs of its population of 1.4 billion, with underemployment a serious challenge.
—Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
In the darkness, the threatening presence of the large-scale industrial complex reveals the workings of an unequal system.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
Pernambuco is the third most unequal Brazilian state, with 51 percent of its citizens living below the poverty line, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.
—Angelica Mari, WIRED, 30 June 2023
Harley spent much of the rest of that season dealing with the shame of having stayed so long in an unequal, arguably abusive relationship.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2023
The previous unequal pay had long been a sore point for American women, who have built the world’s most powerful program with four World Cup titles.
—NBC News, 21 July 2023
Should the presidents have agreed to unequal revenue shares?
—Jon Wilner | , oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2023
Gender inequality -- the unequal treatment of someone based solely on their gender -- is an outcome of patriarchal societies but the terms do not mean the same thing.
—Eliza Anyangwe and Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 3 Aug. 2023
See More
Adjective
In a separate case, Tesla is fighting claims by California’s civil rights department that hundreds of African American workers at its factory were subject to mistreatment, including harassment, unequal pay and retaliation.
—Eric Johnson, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
India’s economic growth, while among the strongest globally, remains deeply unequal and insufficient for the needs of its population of 1.4 billion, with underemployment a serious challenge.
—Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
In the darkness, the threatening presence of the large-scale industrial complex reveals the workings of an unequal system.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
Pernambuco is the third most unequal Brazilian state, with 51 percent of its citizens living below the poverty line, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.
—Angelica Mari, WIRED, 30 June 2023
Harley spent much of the rest of that season dealing with the shame of having stayed so long in an unequal, arguably abusive relationship.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2023
The previous unequal pay had long been a sore point for American women, who have built the world’s most powerful program with four World Cup titles.
—NBC News, 21 July 2023
Should the presidents have agreed to unequal revenue shares?
—Jon Wilner | , oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2023
Gender inequality -- the unequal treatment of someone based solely on their gender -- is an outcome of patriarchal societies but the terms do not mean the same thing.
—Eliza Anyangwe and Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 3 Aug. 2023
See More
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 27 Sep. 2023.
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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
3
: badly balanced or matched
an unequal fight
4
: inadequate, insufficient
unequal to the task
unequally
adverb
-kwə-lē
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