UNEQUAL

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

Example:

she was unequal to the task

Synonyms:

inadequate; unequal

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

deficient; lacking; wanting (inadequate in amount or degree)

incapable; incompetent; unequal to (not meeting requirements)

short-handed; short-staffed; undermanned; understaffed (inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.)

Also:

unsatisfactory (not giving satisfaction)

Attribute:

adequacy; adequateness (the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily:)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

anisometric; unsymmetrical (having unsymmetrical parts or unequal dimensions or measurements)

mismatched; uneven ((of a contest or contestants) not fairly matched as opponents)

nonequivalent (not equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, or significance)

odds-on (having a better than even chance of success)

unbalanced (debits and credits are not equal)

unequalised; unequalized (not caused to be equal)

Also:

incommensurate (not corresponding in size or degree or extent)

Attribute:

equality (the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status)

Antonym:

equal (having the same quantity, value, or measure as another)

Credits

Context examples:

Thus situated, employed in the most detestable occupation, immersed in a solitude where nothing could for an instant call my attention from the actual scene in which I was engaged, my spirits became unequal; I grew restless and nervous.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

The bargain might appear unequal; but there was still another consideration in the scales; for while Jekyll would suffer smartingly in the fires of abstinence, Hyde would be not even conscious of all that he had lost.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

His spirits, during the last two or three days, though still very unequal, were greatly improved—he grew more and more partial to the house and environs—never spoke of going away without a sigh—declared his time to be wholly disengaged—even doubted to what place he should go when he left them—but still, go he must.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

A 60 kD single chain protein elaborated by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that causes the sign and symptoms of diphtheria; it can be broken into two unequal fragments, the smaller (A fragment) inhibits protein synthesis and is the lethal moiety that needs the larger (B fragment) for entry into cells.

(Diphtheria Toxin, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

I am totally unequal to it.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Partly because it is his nature—and we can none of us help our nature; and partly because he has painful thoughts, no doubt, to harass him, and make his spirits unequal.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The answer was only in this short note: Miss Fairfax's compliments and thanks, but is quite unequal to any exercise.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She was earnestly begged to return and dine, and give them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been so long exerted that at present she felt unequal to more, and fit only for home, where she might be sure of being as silent as she chose.