unequal

[uhn-ee-kwuh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unequal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not equal; not of the same quantity, quality, value, rank, ability, etc.: People are unequal in their capacities.

not adequate, as in amount, power, ability, etc. (usually followed by to): strength unequal to the task.

not evenly proportioned or balanced; not having the parts alike or symmetrical: an unequal leaf.

uneven or variable in character, quality, etc.

Obsolete. inequitable; unfair; unjust.

noun

unequals, persons or things not equal to each other: a contest between obvious unequals.

Origin of unequal

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

Related formsun·e·qual·ly, adverbun·e·qual·ness, nounsub·un·e·qual, adjectivesub·un·e·qual·ly, adverbsub·un·e·qual·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for unequally

unevenly, unfairly

Examples from the Web for unequally

Historical Examples of unequally

Marriage has ever been a one-sided matter, resting most unequally upon the sexes.
Susan B. Anthony
Alma Lutz
Our perceptions, æsthetic and gastronomic, were unequally developed.
The Foot-path Way
Bradford Torrey
His lips were bloodless as he stared at the unequally matched pair.
Joshua, Complete
Georg Ebers
The benefits are unequally distributed, but nearly all share in them to some degree.
The Principles of Economics
Frank A. Fetter
It is unequally and often unjustly or defectively administered.
Glimpses into the Abyss
Mary Higgs

British Dictionary definitions for unequally

unequal

adjective

not equal in quantity, size, rank, value, etc

(foll by to) inadequate; insufficient

not evenly balanced

(of character, quality, etc) irregular; varying; inconsistent

(of a contest, etc) having competitors of different ability

obsolete unjust

Derived Formsunequally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for unequally

unequal

adj.

1530s, "unjust, unfair," from un- (1) "not" + equal (adj.). Meaning "not the same in amount, size, quality, etc." is recorded from 1560s (inequal in this sense is from late 14c.). Sense of "inadequate, insufficient" (to some task) is attested from 1690s.