uneven

adjective

un·​even ˌən-ˈē-vən How to pronounce uneven (audio)
Synonyms of unevennext
1
a
archaic : unequal sense 1a
b
: odd sense 4a
an uneven number of players
2
a
: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged
large uneven teeth
uneven handwriting
b
: varying from the straight or parallel
uneven edges
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 How to pronounce uneven (audio)
noun

Synonyms of uneven

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rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.

rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Examples of uneven in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That is an unusually light amount of in-game preparation for a second-year quarterback learning a new offense, especially since Dart and the offense have had an uneven summer at best. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 Together, these findings pointed to uneven conditions beneath the road. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 The sharp rise in global oil prices sparked by the Iran war has had an uneven impact in Francophone West Africa, with some countries’ fuel prices double the level of their neighbors. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Off Ramp is many things—a useful compendium of research on polarization and political violence, a candid memoir of Cox’s uneven attempts at peacemaking, a practical handbook for Americans who want to rediscover how to live with one another. — Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uneven

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of uneven was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing uneven

Rhymes for uneven

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Browse Nearby Words

unevaporated
uneven
uneven-aged
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Cite this Entry

“Uneven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uneven. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

uneven

adjective
un·​even ˌən-ˈē-vən How to pronounce uneven (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not even : not level or smooth : rugged, ragged
large uneven teeth
uneven handwriting
2
: varying from the straight or parallel
3
: not constant : irregular
uneven earnings
4
: varying in quality
an uneven performance
unevenly adverb
unevenness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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