unequal

1 of 3

adjective

un·​equal ˌən-ˈē-kwəl 

1

a

: not of the same measurement, quantity, or number as another

boards of unequal length

b

: not like or not the same as another in degree, worth, or status

pieces of unequal workmanship

2

: not uniform : variable, uneven

unequal pulsations

3

a

: badly balanced or matched

an unequal contest

b

: contracted between unequals

an unequal treaty

c

: not like or not the same for each member of a group or class

unequal chances for success

d

: not level

unequal ground

e

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 of unequal

Adjective

• changing
• uneven
• 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

And like many on the margins, Kanchan was proud of her right to vote — a rare equalizer in unequal India. — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

Despite the efforts to redress the problem, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

India remains a doggedly unequal society in which money, kinship, and power distort almost all institutions. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

The circumstances and cultural details may vary, but these unequal power dynamics between families and their domestic workers exist everywhere, to different degrees. — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

circa 1573, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unequal

• coequal
• subequal
• equal
• sequel

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