Inequal vs. Unequal — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Maham Liaqat — By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 17, 2024
"Inequal" is the incorrect spelling of "unequal," which refers to something not even, balanced, or the same in quantity, size, or value.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Inequal or Unequal
How to spell Unequal?
Inequal
Incorrect Spelling
Unequal
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of "equal" and simply place "un" at the start to make it "not equal" or "unequal."
Recall that "unequal" begins with "un-" like other words indicating negation, such as "unfair" or "untrue."
Connect "equal" with its opposite by adding "un-" in front, which often negates or inverts the meaning.
How Do You Spell Unequal Correctly?
Incorrect: Their participation in the project was inequal.
Correct: Their participation in the project was unequal.
Incorrect: Inequal treatment of employees is discouraged.
Correct: Unequal treatment of employees is discouraged.
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Incorrect: The resources were distribured in an inequal manner.
Correct: The resources were distributed in an unequal manner.
Incorrect: The inequal pieces made the puzzle difficult to solve.
Correct: The unequal pieces made the puzzle difficult to solve.
Incorrect: He felt it was an inequal match between the teams.
Correct: He felt it was an unequal match between the teams.
Unequal Definitions
Not evenly balanced.
Their contributions to the project were unequal.
Not identical or similar; diverse.
The book includes stories from people of unequal backgrounds.
Not the same in size, quantity, value, or status.
The unequal pieces resulted in a challenging puzzle.
Different in nature or quality; not comparable.
The athletes competed at unequal levels of experience.
Lacking fairness or equity.
Unequal access to education remains a pressing issue.
Not the same in any measurable aspect, such as extent or quantity.
Not the same as another in rank or social position.
Consisting of ill-matched opponents
An unequal race.
Having unbalanced sides or parts; asymmetric.
Not even or consistent; variable.
Not having the required abilities; inadequate
"It was maddening to be unequal to many enterprises" (D.H. Lawrence).
Not fair. See Usage Note at equal.
One that is not the equal of another.
Not the same.
Out of balance.
(comparable) Inadequate; insufficiently capable or qualified.
Unequal to the task
Erratic, inconsistent.
One who is not an equal.
Not equal; not matched; not of the same size, length, breadth, quantity, strength, talents, acquirements, age, station, or the like; as, the fingers are of unequal length; peers and commoners are unequal in rank.
Ill balanced or matched; disproportioned; hence, not equitable; partial; unjust; unfair.
Against unequal arms to fight in pain.
Jerome, a very unequal relator of the opinion of his adversaries.
To punish me for what you make me doSeems much unequal.
Not uniform; not equable; irregular; uneven; as, unequal pulsations; an unequal poem.
Not adequate or sufficient; inferior; as, the man was unequal to the emergency; the timber was unequal to the sudden strain.
Not having the two sides or the parts symmetrical.
Not equal in amount;
They distributed unlike (or unequal) sums to the various charities
Poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
Unequal Meaning in a Sentence
Teachers try to avoid unequal treatment of students.
The scales were uneven, showing unequal weights.
Unequal opportunities can lead to serious societal problems.
The debate competition seemed unequal from the start.
She argued against the unequal distribution of resources.
Unequal access to healthcare is a major issue.
He had unequal enthusiasm for the two projects.
The team faced an unequal challenge.
They fought against unequal laws and regulations.
The committee's opinions were unequal and varied.
Unequal parts of the mixture affected the final product.
Children often feel their parents' attention is unequal.
The tires were subject to unequal wear.
Unequal pressure caused the structure to tilt.
Unequal funding affected the success of the programs.
The trees grew at unequal rates due to sunlight differences.
Unequal treatment in the workplace can lead to lawsuits.
She used unequal amounts of ingredients, which altered the flavor.
Unequal divisions of the estate led to family disputes.
Her feelings towards the siblings were unequal.
Unequal growth rates were observed in the experiment.
Public opinion is often unequal on various issues.
They contributed unequal amounts of money to the gift.
Their knowledge on the topic was clearly unequal.
The twins have unequal talents in music and sports.
Unequal Idioms & Phrases
An unequal fight
A contest where one side has a clear disadvantage.
It was an unequal fight between the experienced and the novice boxer.
Unequal to the task
Not capable or sufficient to handle the challenge.
He felt unequal to the task of managing the large team.
Live in unequal times
To exist during periods of great disparity.
We live in unequal times, with vast differences in wealth and opportunity.
Stand on unequal footing
To be in a position of disadvantage.
In the debate, the less prepared team stood on unequal footing.
Unequal terms
Conditions that favor one side over another.
The negotiation ended because the parties were on unequal terms.
Unequal efforts
When the level of effort from individuals or groups is not the same.
The project failed due to unequal efforts from its contributors.
Unequal shares
Portions that are not the same in size or value.
The heirs received unequal shares of the inheritance.
Face unequal odds
To confront challenges that are disproportionately difficult.
She faced unequal odds in her fight for justice.
An unequal match
A pairing in which one side is clearly mismatched to the other.
The playoff was seen as an unequal match due to the teams' different skill levels.
On unequal terms
Engaging or competing under unfair conditions.
They entered the agreement on unequal terms, to their disadvantage.
Unequal treatment
Discrimination or unfair handling of different people.
The company was criticized for unequal treatment of its employees.
Feel unequal
To feel inadequate or insufficient for a situation.
I sometimes feel unequal to the challenges at work.
Work at unequal speeds
To work at different rates of efficiency or speed.
The team members worked at unequal speeds, causing delays.
Drawn on unequal lines
Describing something that is unfairly arranged or aligned.
The district boundaries were drawn on unequal lines, favoring one party.
Unequal burden
An unfair share of responsibility or hardship.
The lower-income groups often carry an unequal burden of taxes.
Grow at unequal rates
To develop or progress at different speeds.
The two plants grew at unequal rates due to varying amounts of sunlight.
An unequal exchange
A trade or swap where the values are not equivalent.
The trade was an unequal exchange, benefiting only one side.
Unequal outcomes
Results that vary significantly among individuals or groups.
The treatment led to unequal outcomes among the patients.
Unequal competition
A competition where not all competitors have the same advantages.
The small business faced unequal competition from the large corporation.
Maintain unequal relationships
To keep relationships where power or influence is not balanced.
She decided to end the unequal relationship that was detrimental to her well-being.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called unequal?
Unequal is called so because it denotes a state of not being equal, using the prefix "un-" which negates the adjective "equal."
What is a stressed syllable in unequal?
The stressed syllable in "unequal" is the second: un-E-qual.
How is unequal used in a sentence?
Unequal is used as an adjective to describe something that is not balanced, fair, or equivalent.
How do we divide unequal into syllables?
Unequal is divided into syllables as un-e-qual.
What is the root word of unequal?
The root word of "unequal" is "equal," with the addition of the prefix "un-" meaning "not."
What is the singular form of unequal?
The singular form is "unequal."
What is the verb form of unequal?
Unequal is an adjective; the related verb could be "unequalize," though it is not commonly used.
What is the pronunciation of unequal?
Unequal is pronounced as /ʌnˈiːkwəl/.
How many syllables are in unequal?
Unequal has three syllables.
What is another term for unequal?
Another term for unequal could be "disproportionate" or "unbalanced."
What is the plural form of unequal?
The adjective unequal does not change in plural usage; it remains "unequal."
What part of speech is unequal?
Unequal is an adjective.
Is unequal a vowel or consonant?
The word unequal starts with a vowel sound.
Is the word unequal Gerund?
No, unequal is an adjective and does not have a gerund form.
What is the opposite of unequal?
The opposite of unequal is "equal."
Is unequal a collective noun?
No, unequal is an adjective and not a noun of any type.
Is the word unequal imperative?
No, unequal is an adjective and does not have an imperative form.
Is the word “unequal” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As an adjective, unequal does not serve as an object but modifies nouns.
Which determiner is used with unequal?
Determiners such as "more," "most," "less," or "very" can be used with unequal, depending on the context.
Which vowel is used before unequal?
A vowel is not specifically used before unequal unless it is part of a larger phrase.
Is unequal a noun or adjective?
Unequal is an adjective.
Is unequal an adverb?
No, unequal is not an adverb.
Is unequal an abstract noun?
Unequal is an adjective, not a noun.
Which article is used with unequal?
The article "the" is commonly used with unequal, as in "the unequal distribution."
Is unequal a countable noun?
Unequal is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Which conjunction is used with unequal?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used when unequal is part of a larger clause.
Is unequal a negative or positive word?
Unequal generally has a negative connotation as it implies a lack of fairness or balance.
Is the unequal term a metaphor?
Unequal can be used metaphorically to describe situations or conditions that are not fair or balanced.
Which preposition is used with unequal?
Prepositions like "to" and "from" are used with unequal, e.g., "unequal to the task" or "moving from unequal conditions."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Maham Liaqat
