inequitable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- inequitableness noun
- inequitably adverb
Etymology
Origin of inequitable
Explanation
If something is inequitable, it's not not fair or just. If one math class gets a pizza party and another gets an algebra quiz, that's inequitable. The word inequitable is a fancy way to say "unfair." It adds the prefix in-, or "not," to equitable, "fair and impartial." In law, inequitable conduct has to do with lying or withholding information during the process of suing someone. In more ordinary circumstances, if your brother complains that his half of the cookie you split is smaller, you can shrug and tell him, "Sometimes life is inequitable."
Vocabulary lists containing inequitable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As scholars like Amanda Frost, Kate Masur and Martha Jones demonstrate, abolitionists and free Black activists used the concept of citizenship by birthright to make claims of freedom and otherwise challenge inequitable and terrifying circumstances.
From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026
“It risks becoming inequitable and inefficient,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026
It held that the lower court’s rescission was an inequitable remedy and reinstated Musk’s compensation plan.
From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026
“So my biggest fear is my children are going to be significantly disadvantaged to everyone else in Scotland. It just seems very inequitable and unfair that, due to financial decisions children's education going to suffer.”
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2024
The inequitable character of imprisonment for debt lies in this, that it punishes the unfortunate debtor as severely as it does the malicious one.
From Principles Of Political Economy by Lalor, John J. (John Joseph)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
