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
• erratic
• fluctuating
• irregular
• uneven
• unstable
• unsteady
• 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

WinStar Farm, the China Horse Club and SF Racing were unequal partners in the breeding rights, with SF having the smallest investment of 15%. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024

Conditions were vastly unequal to those for white children at the time, but the presence of Black teachers provided Black children with deep value and care. —Andrea Guiden Pittman, The Conversation, 16 May 2024

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

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