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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Because of the way that resources are distributed in our fundamentally unequal society, very few people hold the trump cards in terms of wealth and resources over the whole rest of the population.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Advertisement In her new roles, McKinley galvanized Black women across the country with a focus on challenging segregation, unfair labor practices, and unequal housing.
—Time, 22 Sep. 2025
But that doesn’t justify his unequal reactions to the two most recent political assassinations — of an ally and a Democratic opponent.
—Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unequal
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Adjective
With patience and power, the film gradually reveals how an unequal system threatens livelihoods, legacies, and the broader future of American farming.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Because of the way that resources are distributed in our fundamentally unequal society, very few people hold the trump cards in terms of wealth and resources over the whole rest of the population.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Advertisement In her new roles, McKinley galvanized Black women across the country with a focus on challenging segregation, unfair labor practices, and unequal housing.
—Time, 22 Sep. 2025
But that doesn’t justify his unequal reactions to the two most recent political assassinations — of an ally and a Democratic opponent.
—Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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