unequal
not the same in degree
Different in size, amount, level, or strength when you compare two or more things.
[something] is unequal to [something]
- The two teams went into the game with clearly unequal resources.
- There is an unequal distribution of doctors between rural and urban areas.
- They entered an unequal partnership, with her investing far more money than him.
- The debate felt like an unequal contest between an expert and a beginner.
- Shareholders complained about the unequal treatment of small and large investors.
- The power between the two groups is unequal.
- There is unequal money for schools in rich and poor areas.
- The fight was unequal because one man was much stronger.
- They have unequal skills, so the work is not fair.
- The two sides of the deal are unequal.
unfair or unjust; not equal
Unfair, because some people get more or better things than others.
unequal [noun]
- Campaigners are calling for an end to unequal pay for women and men.
- Access to healthcare remains deeply unequal across different regions.
- They grew up in an unequal society where class determined your future.
- The report highlights the unequal treatment of migrant workers by the authorities.
- Unequal educational opportunities keep many children in poverty.
- Women still get unequal pay in some countries.
- Many people are angry about unequal treatment by the police.
- Children from poor families often have unequal chances in school.
- The law creates unequal rights for different groups.
- We must fight against unequal opportunities.
not even or regular
Not even, not regular, or not the same in size or space between parts.
unequal [plural noun]
- The artist drew three unequal circles to create a feeling of movement.
- The triangle has two equal sides and one clearly unequal side.
- The clock struck at unequal intervals, making it hard to tell the time.
- Unequal spacing between the posts made the fence look strange.
- He noticed the chair legs were of unequal length, so it rocked on the floor.
- The two lines are of unequal length.
- The table stands on legs of unequal size.
- The lights are placed at unequal distances on the wall.
- In this shape, the sides are unequal.
- The sound comes in unequal time steps.
not capable of doing something
Not strong enough or not good enough to do a hard job or task.
[someone] is unequal to [task]
- She suddenly felt unequal to the task of leading the entire project.
- The small local hospital was unequal to the demands of a major disaster.
- Realizing he was unequal to the challenge, he asked a colleague for help.
- They feared the team would be unequal to such a complex negotiation.
- He admitted he was unequal to the job and resigned.
- I feel unequal to this big job.
- The old bridge is unequal to the heavy traffic.
- The team was unequal to the hard game.
- She was unequal to the task of caring for four small children alone.
- The system is unequal to such a large number of users.
- Base: unequal
an unequal match
1unbalanced game or contest
A game or fight where one side is much stronger or better than the other.
- The game turned out to be an unequal match from the first minute.
- It was an unequal match: the champions against a local amateur team.
- Some viewers dislike watching such an unequal match.
an unequal struggle
1conflict with unmatched sides
A fight or contest where one side is much weaker than the other and is very likely to lose.
- It was an unequal struggle between the protestors and the heavily armed police.
- They faced an unequal struggle against a far richer competitor.
- Saving the company felt like an unequal struggle from the very beginning.
unequal access
1unfair difference in access
When some groups can use important things (like health care or the internet) more easily than others, in an unfair way.
- Unequal access to healthcare is a major public concern.
- The study found unequal access to fast internet in rural areas.
- Policies are needed to address unequal access to clean water.
unequal opportunities
1unfairly different chances
When some people have more chances to succeed than others, in an unfair way.
- Unequal opportunities in education can last a lifetime.
- The program aims to reduce unequal opportunities between rich and poor children.
- Unequal opportunities often lead to long-term social problems.
unequal pay
1unfair difference in pay
When one group of workers gets less money than another group for the same or similar work, in an unfair way.
- The campaign focuses on ending unequal pay for women.
- Unequal pay remains a major issue in many industries.
- They filed a lawsuit over unequal pay at the company.
unequal to the task
1not capable of doing the task
Not strong enough or not good enough to do a particular job or duty.
- Many officials proved unequal to the task of managing the crisis.
- He felt unequal to the task and asked his supervisor for support.
- The committee was unequal to the task of making such a difficult decision.
unequal treatment
1unfairly different treatment
When people are treated in different ways that are not fair, often because of race, gender, or social group.
- The report documents unequal treatment of minority students.
- Many workers complain about unequal treatment by their managers.
- Laws exist to protect citizens from unequal treatment by the state.