unequal

1 of 3

adjective

un·​equal ˌən-ˈē-kwəl How to pronounce unequal (audio)
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 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'dWilliam Shakespeare

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
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.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unequal was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near unequal

Cite this Entry

“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

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
3
: badly balanced or matched
an unequal fight
4
: inadequate, insufficient
unequal to the task
unequally
-kwə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unequal

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