unequally

Unequally is an English adverb used to describe a manner that is not equal or not evenly distributed. It is formed from the adjective equal with the negating prefix un- and the adverbial suffix -ly, indicating how something occurs or is arranged rather than what it is.

The term appears in discussions of distribution, treatment, and outcomes where parity is lacking. It can apply to resources, opportunities, or results that favor one side over another, such as resources being distributed unequally among regions or opportunities being unequally accessible across populations. In analysis and reporting, unequally emphasizes disparity or imbalance rather than sameness.

In contrast to the adverb equally, unequally highlights difference. Related concepts include inequality, inequity, and disproportion, which describe the presence or impact of such disparities. The word is commonly used in social sciences, economics, and policy analysis, but it also appears in general narration to describe any situation where two or more items do not share a common measure or treatment.

See also: equal, equal treatment, inequality, inequity, fairness, disproportion, uneven distribution.