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

Women’s mental well-being can be at risk due to a variety of factors, including unequal domestic responsibilities and physiological changes during the postpartum period, perimenopause and menopause. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

But at least as loud a voice comes from student activists who support eliminating school police and point to academics who have concluded that police have historically targeted minority students for unequal enforcement. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

While the same anthropologists also emphasize that some hunter-gatherers are very unequal and that equality takes deliberate effort, the prevailing impression is that equality characterizes hunter-gatherers, past and present. — Christopher Von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026

Jay Caspian Kang argues that personalizing the problem of an unequal school system is the wrong approach. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 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