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 Shakespeare
Synonyms
Examples of unequal in a Sentence
Adjective
unequal academic standards for male and female students
unequal justice based on race
Recent Examples on the WebJohn Leland John Leland, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
However, there are still challenges that female producers face, like sexism, lack of visibility and unequal opportunities compared to their male counterparts.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Washington has long shouldered an unequal share of the military burden, especially on nuclear matters, to avoid a scenario in which countries such as Germany or Japan might destabilize their regions—and terrify their former victims—by building full-spectrum defense capabilities of their own.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
Furthermore, the environmental justice movement, gaining traction in swing states, is tackling the unequal burdens of pollution and climate change faced by Black Americans, advocating for policies that ensure clean air, water, and a sustainable environment for every community.
—Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Another blatant example of America's two-tiered, unequal justice system.
—Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024
These men holding a space separate and apart to network and form a support group, presumably while their wives care for the children, is inherently unequal.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
The treatments partially rescued MeCP2 protein levels throughout the brain, but its distribution was unequal.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Related: In Fiona-ravaged Puerto Rico, hospitals were prioritized over health clinics for diesel, exacerbating rural health disparities
Health care funding in Puerto Rico is deeply unequal.
—Mariela Torres Cintrón, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The lawyer, James H. Davis III, is chairman of the Black Parents Workshop, an organization that has sued the school district over racial disparities in the past, including unequal punishments for Black students.
—John Leland John Leland, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
However, there are still challenges that female producers face, like sexism, lack of visibility and unequal opportunities compared to their male counterparts.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Washington has long shouldered an unequal share of the military burden, especially on nuclear matters, to avoid a scenario in which countries such as Germany or Japan might destabilize their regions—and terrify their former victims—by building full-spectrum defense capabilities of their own.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
Furthermore, the environmental justice movement, gaining traction in swing states, is tackling the unequal burdens of pollution and climate change faced by Black Americans, advocating for policies that ensure clean air, water, and a sustainable environment for every community.
—Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Another blatant example of America's two-tiered, unequal justice system.
—Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024
These men holding a space separate and apart to network and form a support group, presumably while their wives care for the children, is inherently unequal.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
The treatments partially rescued MeCP2 protein levels throughout the brain, but its distribution was unequal.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Related: In Fiona-ravaged Puerto Rico, hospitals were prioritized over health clinics for diesel, exacerbating rural health disparities
Health care funding in Puerto Rico is deeply unequal.
—Mariela Torres Cintrón, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unequal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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Cite this Entry
“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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
3
: badly balanced or matched
an unequal fight
4
: inadequate, insufficient
unequal to the task
unequally
adverb
-kwə-lē
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