uneven

adjective

un·even ˌən-ˈē-vən

Synonyms of uneven next

archaic : unequal sense 1a

: odd sense 4a

: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged

large uneven teeth

uneven handwriting

: varying from the straight or parallel

: not uniform : irregular

uneven combustion

: varying in quality

an uneven performance

: unequal sense 3a

an uneven confrontation

unevenly adverb

unevenness

ˌən-ˈē-və(n)-nəs

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for uneven

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.

rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Example Sentences

His breathing was shallow and uneven. You should check your car's tires often for signs of uneven wear. an uneven distribution of wealth We have an uneven number of players, so we'll have to rotate.

Recent Examples on the Web Though his play at Georgia was uneven at times, the 6-2, 210-pound Ringo should be one of the combine's biggest testing standouts thanks to his rare athleticism. —

Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2023 Last season was uneven as Arroyo played sporadically off the bench early in the year. —

Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Feb. 2023 In his first year of on-field action, Ashford was uneven but showed flashes of potential both with his legs and his arm (his touchdown strike in the Iron Bowl certainly caught Freeze’s attention) during the 2022 season. —

Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 14 Feb. 2023 The books sold well but were uneven in quality, tending at times toward hackwork. —

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2023 Though bouncing and landings were comfortable, parts of the trampoline were uneven. —

Lacey Muinos, Health, 27 Jan. 2023 Be aware that terrain can be uneven here and that there may be some uphill hiking. —

Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023 But perhaps due to the elements of improvisation, the comic timing is uneven and the material tends to be more often cute than uproarious. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2023 Though Gallup has previously found that a majority of U.S. adults report at least moderate financial hardships as a result of inflation, the impact of costs on consumers’ health-seeking behavior is uneven. —

Deb Gordon, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uneven.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.