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
- subunequal adjective
- subunequally adverb
- subunequalness noun
- unequally adverb
- unequalness noun
Etymology
Origin of unequal
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.
Researchers attribute part of this disparity to social and structural factors, including unequal access to health care, differences in educational opportunities, and known biases in cognitive testing.
From Science Daily
He added that the unequal treatment of adults and children "must end" by tackling obesity, protecting mental health, reducing exposure to nicotine and boosting vaccinations in children.
From BBC
Immigrants and minorities in the U.S. and Europe who embraced Western values could apply them to challenge unequal treatment.
Beneficiary designations can also result in unintentionally unequal distributions if there’s more than one heir, and complications if the beneficiaries die first or aren’t changed appropriately as life circumstances change.
From Los Angeles Times
But it’s not necessarily a good thing to surprise children with unequal inheritances if they believe the status quo has been maintained.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
