UNEVEN Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'uneven' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of uneven are harsh , rough , rugged , and scabrous . While all these words mean "not smooth or even," uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality. // an old house with uneven floors

Q: When is 'harsh' a more appropriate choice than 'uneven'?

The synonyms harsh and uneven are sometimes interchangeable, but harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch. // a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

Q: In what contexts can 'rough' take the place of 'uneven'?

While in some cases nearly identical to uneven , rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface. // a rough wooden board

Q: When could 'rugged' be used to replace 'uneven'?

The words rugged and uneven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel. // a rugged landscape

Q: When is it sensible to use 'scabrous' instead of 'uneven'?

While the synonyms scabrous and uneven are close in meaning, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface. // a scabrous leaf

uneven

adjective

ˌən-ˈē-vən

Definition of uneven

as in jagged

not having a level or smooth surface the driveway is uneven and collects water in several large puddles whenever it rains

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in changing

not staying constant the level of attendance at the ballpark has been very uneven this season

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crooked

inclined or twisted to one side a goofy guy with an uneven grin

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective uneven contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of uneven are harsh, rough, rugged, and scabrous. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

When is harsh a more appropriate choice than uneven?

The synonyms harsh and uneven are sometimes interchangeable, but harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

In what contexts can rough take the place of uneven?

While in some cases nearly identical to uneven, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When could rugged be used to replace uneven?

The words rugged and uneven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When is it sensible to use scabrous instead of uneven?

While the synonyms scabrous and uneven are close in meaning, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of uneven The findings suggest that while broader insurance inflation is moderating, affordability remains uneven, with regional market conditions and individual circumstances determining how much relief households actually experience. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 The probe’s landing gear is designed to absorb the energy of each landing to mitigate the risk of tipping over or bouncing back into space, a real concern with the feeble and uneven gravity field on Phobos. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 The uneven surface can cause visitors to lose their footing if not careful. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Rising case rates in women under 50, new federal rules on breast density notification and the uneven rollout of 3D mammography are reshaping when and how women get screened. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uneven

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uneven

Adjective

The latter is more demanding, but might have the best views of those jagged, majestic Dolomites in the region.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.

— Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of jagged

Adjective

Finding no legal recourse in a city with a crooked police department and judiciary, Matt gives in to despair.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Others convicted in relation to the robbery included Brian Reader, a career criminal who was involved in other high-profile robberies before and after Brink’s-Mat, crooked solicitor Michael Relton, and McAvoy’s wife, Kathleen.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of crooked

Adjective

Already postponed 24 hours, the invasion proceeded in the face of rough seas, strong winds, and low visibility in order to seize a small window in time of enormous consequence.

— Marc E. Andersen, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Japanese flight controllers want to avoid powdery soil and rough terrain when the mothership, a four-legged stationary lander, descends to the surface to gather samples in late 2028 or 2029.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

This is a recurring injury for Smith, who has missed five of the last nine games due to varying levels of discomfort in his calf.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.

— Lauren O'Connor, Health, 22 Oct. 2025

Definition of varying

Adjective

Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut.

— George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
The tilted surfaces were mostly chosen to mimic raindrops in the real world.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of tilted

Adjective

Their rugged shape acts as a welcome counterpoint, toughening up outfits with a particular cool girl edge.

— Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The headline addition is an external lens attachment that extends the camera's optical reach far beyond what standard rugged handsets offer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rugged

Adjective

The agency also raised concerns about unequal treatment in employment, while acknowledging that incomplete records limited its conclusions.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
And like many on the margins, Kanchan was proud of her right to vote — a rare equalizer in unequal India.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unequal

Browse Nearby Words

unethically

uneven

unevenly

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“Uneven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uneven. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of uneven

adjective

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