uneven
adjective
un·even ˌən-ˈē-vən 
1
a
archaic : unequal sense 1a
b
: odd sense 4a
2
a
: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged
large uneven teeth
uneven handwriting
b
: varying from the straight or parallel
c
: not uniform : irregular
uneven combustion
d
: varying in quality
an uneven performance
3
: unequal sense 3a
an uneven confrontation
unevenly adverb
unevenness
ˌən-ˈē-və(n)-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- broken
- bumpy
- coarse
- irregular
- jagged
- lumpy
- pebbly
- ragged
- rough
- roughened
- rugged
- scraggy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His breathing was shallow and uneven. You should check your car's tires often for signs of uneven wear. an uneven distribution of wealth We have an uneven number of players, so we'll have to rotate.
Recent Examples on the Web The Tigers were uneven, at best, through two tune-ups against FCS opponent Mercer and Group of 5 opponent San Jose State, avoiding a disastrous upset against the latter in Week 2. 
Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 That installment was typically uneven, but the better segments were terrific. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 And while the monsoon season is progressing well—with cumulative rainfall 6% above the long-term average up to Sep. 13, according to the India Meteorological Department—rainfall distribution has been uneven. Megha Mandavia, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 But this drop has been uneven—the biggest drop has been for the lowest-performing students, which isn’t necessarily surprising because the lowest-performing students were probably less engaged in school. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022 Policymakers are under pressure to address rising rents, but the response from Washington has been uneven. Emily Wright, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2022 Praxitella’s texture is uneven, and bright red paint peeks through cracks in its surface. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Aug. 2022 But John Leer, chief economist for Morning Consult, told me the consumer strength is uneven. Christine Romans, CNN, 18 Aug. 2022 Supplies of essential goods are uneven, halting most commercial activity. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 That installment was typically uneven, but the better segments were terrific. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 And while the monsoon season is progressing well—with cumulative rainfall 6% above the long-term average up to Sep. 13, according to the India Meteorological Department—rainfall distribution has been uneven. Megha Mandavia, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 But this drop has been uneven—the biggest drop has been for the lowest-performing students, which isn’t necessarily surprising because the lowest-performing students were probably less engaged in school. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022 Policymakers are under pressure to address rising rents, but the response from Washington has been uneven. Emily Wright, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2022 Praxitella’s texture is uneven, and bright red paint peeks through cracks in its surface. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Aug. 2022 But John Leer, chief economist for Morning Consult, told me the consumer strength is uneven. Christine Romans, CNN, 18 Aug. 2022 Supplies of essential goods are uneven, halting most commercial activity. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing uneven
Kids Definition
uneven
adjective
un·even ˌən-ˈē-vən
1
: odd sense 3
uneven numbers
2
: not level, straight, or smooth
an uneven surface
3
: irregular sense 4
uneven breathing
4
: varying in quality
an uneven performance
5
: unequal sense 2
an uneven competition
uneven
adjective
1
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface the driveway is uneven and collects water in several large puddles whenever it rains Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- jagged
- rough
- irregular
- broken
- bumpy
- rugged
- lumpy
- ragged
- wavy
- roughened
- coarse
- pebbly
- lopsided
- unbalanced
- scraggy
- rutted
- undulating
- inexact
- harsh
- nonuniform
- rutty
- pitted
- unaligned
- pocked
- undulatory
- scratchy
- knobbly
- knobby
- scraggly
- nubby
- burred
- nubbly
- sandpapery
- knurled
- knurly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smooth
- flat
- uniform
- level
- even
- regular
- exact
- true
- aligned
- vertical
- horizontal
- plane
- straight
- alined
- tabular
- flush
- plumb
2
as in changing
not staying constant the level of attendance at the ballpark has been very uneven this season Synonyms & Similar Words
- changing
- varying
- unequal
- unstable
- inconsistent
- irregular
- fluctuating
- erratic
- volatile
- changeful
- unsteady
- uncertain
- variable
- capricious
- unsettled
- choppy
- changeable
- mercurial
- inconstant
- fluid
- fickle
- mutable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- steady
- constant
- stable
- regular
- unvarying
- unchanging
- changeless
3
as in tilted
inclined or twisted to one side a goofy guy with an uneven grin Synonyms & Similar Words
- tilted
- crooked
- oblique
- lopsided
- skewed
- askew
- tipping
- slanting
- slanted
- awry
- listing
- aslant
- pitched
- distorted
- crazy
- asymmetrical
- off-kilter
- slantwise
- unbalanced
- unsymmetrical
- atilt
- cockeyed
- out of plumb
- irregular
- off plumb
- asymmetric
- disordered
- contorted
- cock-a-hoop
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- level
- straight
- uniform
- regular
- even
- orderly
- symmetrical
- balanced
- symmetric
- ordered
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of uneven are harsh, rough, rugged, and scabrous. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.
an old house with uneven floors
The synonyms harsh and uneven are sometimes interchangeable, but harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.
a harsh fabric that chafes the skin
While in some cases nearly identical to uneven, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.
a rough wooden board
The words rugged and uneven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.
a rugged landscape
While the synonyms scabrous and uneven are close in meaning, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.
a scabrous leaf