unequally

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   In a way that gives different people or things different amounts, shares or treatment.

   Grammar: Goes after the verb or its object: share the money unequally.

   Patterns

   • divide something unequally
   • treat someone unequally

   The prize money was shared unequally among the team.

   Some students believe teachers treat boys and girls unequally.

   Wealth is distributed unequally across the region.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   In a way that is not balanced, because one side is stronger or larger than the other.

   Grammar: Often before a past participle: unequally matched.

   Patterns

   • be unequally matched

   The two boxers were unequally matched in size and experience.

   The load was spread unequally, so the shelf tipped.

   The partners contributed unequally to the project.

Common combinations

divided unequally

The inheritance was divided unequally between the sisters.

treated unequally

Workers felt they were treated unequally.

unequally matched

The teams were unequally matched, and the game was one-sided.

distributed unequally

Rainfall is distributed unequally across the country.

unequally shared

The housework was unequally shared.

Synonyms and how they differ

unevenly

This is wider and can describe surfaces or timing, while unequally is mostly about amounts or fairness.

unfairly

This says the result was unjust, whereas unequally only says the shares were different.

disproportionately

This says something is out of balance with a reasonable standard, and is more formal than unequally.

Opposites

Word family

equal adjective

the same in amount or value

unequal adjective

not the same in amount or value

inequality noun

a lack of fairness in amounts or opportunity

equally adverb

in the same way or amount

Commonly confused: unequally or inequitably?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “unequally”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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