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

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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

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as in crooked

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

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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 Their outsoles also flare out, giving you stable footing on uneven ground or slippery surfaces. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 Wednesday’s biggest one from a solid, yet still a bit uneven, practice was delivered by third-year wide receiver Devontez Walker, who caught a deep pass across the middle from Jackson and raced to the end zone. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 As far as Miller and Gronowski were concerned, their uneven play against the Giants, in which both quarterbacks took several snaps, also remained difficult to evaluate. — Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 The uneven nature seen by ALMA is likely the result of massive convective movements in the star, hot plasma rising through the star and generating shockwaves that erupt in the star's atmosphere, creating bright and hot regions. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uneven

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uneven

Adjective

Ragged, jagged or fluffy edges point to a Bristol Type 6 stool, meaning waste moved through the colon too fast for water to be absorbed properly.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Nepal is a country of jagged, towering peaks with sheer slopes sweeping down to narrow valleys, cut through by powerful rivers.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of jagged

Adjective

The difference is not the map, but how changing conditions are interpreted along the way.

— Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.

— Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025

Definition of changing

Adjective

Cowin soon shifted to straighter technical methods applied to crooked storylines.

— Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
In addition, there are crooked cops on the inside trying to spring El Chapo, so the arresting officers need to quickly figure out who to trust.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of crooked

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

The fire remains active in all directions — primarily within the Ventana Wilderness, which is also remote and rugged terrain.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Civilian infrastructure failed or disappeared, telecommunications broke down, and hundreds of thousands of people were stranded in what was already a relatively remote, rugged corner of the country.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of rugged

Adjective

But the summer months have also thrown into sharp relief the unequal way in which those decreases in violence have shown up across the city.

— Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
These girls make mistakes and learn lessons while living in unfair, unequal and unjust societies in need of change.

— Tara Strauch, Fortune, 29 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of uneven

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