unequal

[ uhn-ee-kwuhl ]

adjective

1. not equal; not of the same quantity, quality, value, rank, ability, etc.:

   People are unequal in their capacities.

2. not adequate, as in amount, power, ability, etc. (usually followed by to ):

   strength unequal to the task.

3. not evenly proportioned or balanced; not having the parts alike or symmetrical:

   an unequal leaf.

4. uneven or variable in character, quality, etc.
5. Obsolete. inequitable; unfair; unjust.

noun

1. unequals, persons or things not equal to each other:

   a contest between obvious unequals.

unequal

/ ʌnˈiːkwəl /

adjective

1. not equal in quantity, size, rank, value, etc
2. foll by to inadequate; insufficient
3. not evenly balanced
4. (of character, quality, etc) irregular; varying; inconsistent
5. (of a contest, etc) having competitors of different ability
6. obsolete.
   unjust

Derived Forms

• unˈequally, adverb

Other Words From

• un·equal·ly adverb
• un·equal·ness noun
• subun·equal adjective
• subun·equal·ly adverb
• subun·equal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unequal¹

First recorded in 1525–35; un- ¹ + equal

Example Sentences

In the end, Britain got “a fair deal,” one that reflects the highly unequal power dynamics between an island nation of 67 million people and a large Continent with 448 million.

From Fortune

The first concern is that the distribution of costs and benefits is very unequal.

From No Straight News

In 2015, Greece, Thailand, Israel, and the UK were equally unequal.

From Quartz

Board member Jacinta Greene said she cast her vote Monday on behalf of everyone who tried and failed to alter the name and for students of color who suffered through unequal education in Alexandria.

From Washington Post

Much of the problem, however, lies in the unequal way America treats mental health compared with physical illnesses.

From Washington Post

But at the same time, markets involve people in new roles and relationships, which can feel just as mandatory and unequal.

From The Daily Beast

The problem comes in when unequal economic power extorts emotional work.

From The Daily Beast

Similarly, the video selections for each contestant were wildly unequal, for no apparent reason.

From The Daily Beast

The grossly unequal societies we now know were beginning to form.

From The Daily Beast

The most recent numbers place it as the seventh-most unequal among 35 OECD states.

From The Daily Beast

The segments of the corolla are pointed but on some varieties unequal, particularly that of Shiraz tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg

Those varieties of the plant with heart-shaped leaves have paniculated flowers with unequal cups.

From Project Gutenberg

The courage of the natives proved unequal to the danger of facing such a charge.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Alsop was thought to be of good heart, but unequal, as Mr. Scott affirmed, "to the trust in point of abilities."

From Project Gutenberg

The writer made its acquaintance in 1866, when it was tuned on the unequal temperament system.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disproportionate
• inequitable
• one-sided
• unbalanced
• uneven