(of a contest, etc) having competitors of different ability
6. obsolete
unjust
Derived forms
unequally (unˈequally)
adverb
unequal in American English
(ʌnˈikwəl)
adjective
1.
not equal, as in size, strength, ability, value, rank, number, amount, etc.
2.
a.
not balanced or symmetrical
an unequal pattern
b.
that matches unequal contestants
an unequal battle
3.
not even, regular, or uniform; variable; fluctuating
4.
not equal or adequate
with to
unequal to the task
5. Rare
not equitable; unjust; unfair
noun
6.
a person or thing not equal to another
Derived forms
unequally (unˈequally)
adverb
Examples of 'unequal' in a sentence
unequal
And actually, in a highly unequal country, is becoming more so.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Where unequal power cannot be justified steps must be taken to correct the situation.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
Another possibility is that you have unequal leg lengths.
The Sun (2009)
We are actually a country that is deeply unequal.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Why are we still accepting unequal pay?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This unequal balance of power must affect other areas.
The Sun (2015)
Social stratification refers to the existence within a society of groups of unequal wealth and power.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
They stalk so efficiently, but it was an unequal contest.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Could your relationship feel unequal to her, about your needs and not hers?
The Sun (2015)
Our society is still unequal 17 years after apartheid.
The Sun (2011)
Just how much are you prepared to pay to stamp out the problem of unequal pay for men and women in your local council?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is a new sort of equality - no one must be given any reason for feeling unequal to anyone else.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was an unequal contest.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
Finally, the concept of discrimination refers to the unequal and unfair treatment of one racial or ethnic group by another group.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
For married women in 1914, the taxation system was unequal.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Give us, for a moment, the benefit of the doubt that justice is this country is unequal.
Christianity Today (2000)
Where each person contributes a different amount towards the deposit or pays an unequal share of the mortgage, some couples may prefer to be tenants in common.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Pay was grotesquely unequal.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
unequal
British English: unequal ADJECTIVE
An unequal system or situation is unfair because it gives more power or privileges to one person or group of people than to others.
This country still had a deeply oppressive, unequal and divisive political system.
American English: unequal
Brazilian Portuguese: desigual
Chinese: 不平等的
European Spanish: desigual
French: inégalitaire
German: ungleich
Italian: iniquo
Japanese: 不平等な
Korean: 불공평한
European Portuguese: desigual
Latin American Spanish: desigual
Chinese translation of 'unequal'
unequal
(ʌnˈiːkwəl)
adj
[lengths, amounts]不同的 (bùtóng de)
[system, situation]不平等的 (bù píngděng de)
to be/feel unequal to sth (frm) 不胜(勝)任某事/感觉(覺)难(難)以胜(勝)任某事 (bù shèngrèn mǒushì/gǎnjué nányǐ shèngrèn mǒushì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a contest) having competitors of different ability
The unequal division of wealth under capitalism.
Synonyms
disproportionate
a disproportionate amount of time
uneven
It was an uneven contest.
unbalanced
unbalanced and unfair reporting
unfair
Some have been sentenced to long prison terms after unfair trials.
irregular
He had bad teeth, irregular and discoloured.
unjust
campaigning against racist and unjust immigration laws
inequitable
The system is grossly inequitable and inefficient.
ill-matched
2 (adjective)
Definition
not equal in quantity, size, rank, or value
These pipes appear to me to be all of unequal length.
Synonyms
different
We have totally different views.
differing
dissimilar
Their styles are not so dissimilar.
unlike
varying
Reporters gave varying figures on the number of casualties.
variable
disparate
Scientists are trying to pull together disparate ideas.
unmatched
not uniform
Opposites
like
,
similar
,
equal
,
matched
,
equivalent
,
uniform
,
identical
3 (adjective)
Definition
inadequate for
Her critics say that she has proved unequal to the task.
Synonyms
not up to
not qualified for
inadequate for
insufficient for
found wanting in
not cut out for (informal)
incompetent at
asymmetrical
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disparate
Definition
utterly different in kind
Scientists are trying to pull together disparate ideas.
Synonyms
different,
contrasting,
unlike,
contrary,
distinct,
diverse,
at odds,
dissimilar,
discordant,
at variance,
discrepant
in the sense of dissimilar
Definition
not alike
Their styles are not so dissimilar.
Synonyms
different,
contrasting,
unlike,
various,
varied,
diverse,
assorted,
unrelated,
disparate,
miscellaneous,
sundry,
divergent,
manifold (formal),
heterogeneous,
mismatched,
multifarious,
not similar,
not alike,
not capable of comparison
in the sense of inequitable
Definition
unjust or unfair
The system is grossly inequitable and inefficient.
Synonyms
unfair,
prejudiced,
biased,
one-sided,
partial,
partisan,
unjust,
discriminatory,
preferential
Nearby words of
unequal
unendurable
unenthusiastic
unenviable
unequal
unequalled
unequivocal
unerring
Synonyms of 'unequal'
unequal
Explore 'unequal' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of irregular
Definition
uneven in shape, position, arrangement, etc.
He had bad teeth, irregular and discoloured.
Synonyms
uneven,
broken,
rough,
twisted,
twisting,
curving,
pitted,
ragged,
crooked,
unequal,
jagged,
bumpy,
lumpy,
serpentine,
contorted,
lopsided,
craggy,
indented,
asymmetrical,
serrated,
holey,
unsymmetrical
in the sense of unbalanced
Definition
biased
unbalanced and unfair reporting
Synonyms
biased,
one-sided,
prejudiced,
unfair,
partial,
partisan,
unjust,
inequitable
in the sense of uneven
Definition
not fairly matched
It was an uneven contest.
Synonyms
unequal,
unfair,
one-sided,
ill-matched
in the sense of unfair
Definition
unequal or unjust
Some have been sentenced to long prison terms after unfair trials.
Synonyms
biased,
prejudiced,
unjust,
one-sided,
partial,
partisan,
arbitrary,
discriminatory,
bigoted,
inequitable
in the sense of unjust
Definition
not fair or just
campaigning against racist and unjust immigration laws
Synonyms
unfair,
prejudiced,
biased,
wrong,
one-sided,
partial,
partisan,
unjustified,
wrongful,
undeserved,
inequitable,
unmerited
in the sense of varying
Reporters gave varying figures on the number of casualties.