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 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
Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
If curtailed, future executive actions could go into effect in some regions while being blocked in others, leading to inconsistent rule of law and potentially unequal application of fundamental rights.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
That unequal treatment presents a serious problem under current free exercise law.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The federal lawsuit alleges that Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal law protecting individuals and religious institutions from unequal or discriminatory land use regulations.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unequal
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Adjective
Being Wealthy In The Philippines—Average Net Worth Wealth distribution in the Philippines is highly unequal, with a significant disparity between the rich and the poor.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
If curtailed, future executive actions could go into effect in some regions while being blocked in others, leading to inconsistent rule of law and potentially unequal application of fundamental rights.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
That unequal treatment presents a serious problem under current free exercise law.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The federal lawsuit alleges that Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal law protecting individuals and religious institutions from unequal or discriminatory land use regulations.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 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 17 Jun. 2025.
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