Definition of unevennext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective uneven contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of uneven are harsh, rough, rugged, and scabrous. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

When is harsh a more appropriate choice than uneven?

The synonyms harsh and uneven are sometimes interchangeable, but harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

In what contexts can rough take the place of uneven?

While in some cases nearly identical to uneven, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When could rugged be used to replace uneven?

The words rugged and uneven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When is it sensible to use scabrous instead of uneven?

While the synonyms scabrous and uneven are close in meaning, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of uneven The result will be uneven health outcomes across regions and communities. Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026 Convective turbulence, caused by uneven heating of the Earth’s surface, is one of the most common types. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 Research from the Surge to Save Newborns Coalition shows just how uneven the system remains. Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026 Even with that progress, visibility within Kansas City’s Black cosplay community remains uneven. Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uneven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uneven
Adjective
  • The green Rio Grande rests like a ribbon in the jaws of jagged canyons.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The first was a gentle bell curve; the second was a jagged line, with two sharp peaks—one on the left, the other on the right.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.
    Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Debuting them in a brief, awkward first flight, like a firework that shoots crooked after being in storage too long.
    María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Tolkan also played Napoleon and his look-alike in Woody Allen’s Love and Death (1975) and was the crooked accountant known as Numbers who works for Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino) in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy (1990).
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Heat has also now allowed more than 120 points in eight of the 10 games during this rough 2-8 stretch.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The Italian coast guard operated in the Libyan search and rescue area amid rough weather conditions, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This is a recurring injury for Smith, who has missed five of the last nine games due to varying levels of discomfort in his calf.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.
    Lauren O'Connor, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Escalade also offers a large head up display and a tilted control panel to provide quick access to climate and other functions.
    Scotty Reiss, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Naturally, Uranus' tilted rotation has a part to play in how auroral activity manifests on the planet.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Perched on a bluff that overlooks Irish Beach, a private area within Manchester State Park, the home boasts an unobstructed, 180-degree view of the rugged Mendocino coastline.
    Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Unlike the near side -- the side seen from Earth -- which is smoother and has flat lava plains known as maria, the far side is rugged and heavily cratered.
    ByMary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The data revealed Black babies have a higher likelihood to die than others and that mothers of color also face the brunt of unequal access to care and predisposition to certain medical conditions.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
  • In a world where everything is supposed to be equal, the rev-share can now be unequal.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uneven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uneven. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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