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
unevenly
adverb
as in unequally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unequally
- differently
- diversely
- otherwise
- variously
- dissimilarly
- conversely
- inversely
- oppositely
- vice versa
- contrarily
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- evenly
- uniformly
- equally
- alike
- also
- identically
- equivalently