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 ShakespeareSynonyms
Examples of unequal in a Sentence
Adjective
unequal academic standards for male and female students
unequal justice based on race
Recent Examples on the WebRoger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
The civil rights complaint, filed on April 25, alleges unequal treatment by Columbia administrators, including President Minouche Shafik.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for unequal 
Adjective
This accelerated with globalization after the end of the Cold War and the onset of atomization with the arrival of the smartphone (that prodigious generator of status anxiety), leading to more unequal, more polarized, more fretful societies.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
The civil rights complaint, filed on April 25, alleges unequal treatment by Columbia administrators, including President Minouche Shafik.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for unequal
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Unequal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unequal. Accessed 13 May. 2024.
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