uneven

1 of 2

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

unevenness

2 of 2

noun

un·​evenness "+ How to pronounce unevenness (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being uneven:
a
: inequality
unevenness of height
b
: roughness
the unevenness of land surfaces
the unevenness of the path
c
: lack of uniform quality : irregularity, inconsistency
the unevenness of the essays detracts from the book's overall effect—F. R. Dulles
d
: temperamental instability
the unevenness of his moods and behavior
2
: an uneven place
file down the unevennesses

Synonyms of uneven

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for uneven

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

Adjective 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.
Adjective
That makes the holiday-week backdrop look less like a policy turning point and more like a slow, uneven summer drift. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026 Its grippy outsole offers reliable traction on trails and uneven terrain, while the soft eggnog color looks polished enough to wear around town afterward. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 These skills carry over into everyday activities like carrying groceries, getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, or walking on uneven ground. — Jakob Roze, Health, 1 July 2026 Shared finances may also call for your attention, including debts, insurance, household costs or uneven contributions. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for uneven

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unevennesse, from uneven + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

See All Rhymes for uneven

Browse Nearby Words

unevaporated
uneven
uneven-aged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uneven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uneven. Accessed 8 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on uneven

Nglish: Translation of uneven for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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