unequal
Americanadjective
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not equal; not of the same quantity, quality, value, rank, ability, etc..
People are unequal in their capacities.
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not adequate, as in amount, power, ability, etc. (usually followed byto ).
strength unequal to the task.
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not evenly proportioned or balanced; not having the parts alike or symmetrical.
an unequal leaf.
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uneven or variable in character, quality, etc.
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Obsolete. inequitable; unfair; unjust.
noun
adjective
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not equal in quantity, size, rank, value, etc
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(foll by to) inadequate; insufficient
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not evenly balanced
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(of character, quality, etc) irregular; varying; inconsistent
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(of a contest, etc) having competitors of different ability
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obsolete unjust
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unequal
Vocabulary lists containing unequal
"Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That brings us to the question of what shareholders could do if Anthropic’s management proves unequal to the challenge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
A genuine friendship developed, but one that came with an unequal pattern of favors.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 25, 2026
In a 2022 report, Morocco's National Human Rights Council said unequal inheritance rules contributed to poverty among women.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
The IMF has warned that the effects of the shock have been unequal, with developing countries reliant on imported energy hit the hardest.
From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026
No matter how sharp the knife, the two pieces have unequal cross sections.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
