iniquitous

American  

[ih-nik-wi-tuhs] / ɪˈnɪk wɪ təs /

adjective

1. characterized by injustice or wickedness; wicked; sinful.

   Synonyms:

   wrong, unjust, base, evil, perverse, nefarious, flagitious

   Antonyms:

   righteous

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Other Word Forms

• iniquitously adverb
• iniquitousness noun
• uniniquitous adjective
• uniniquitously adverb
• uniniquitousness noun

Etymology

Origin of iniquitous

First recorded in 1720–30; iniquit(y) + -ous

Explanation

Something that is iniquitous is extremely immoral or wicked, such as an iniquitous political regime that assassinates its enemies. Use the adjective iniquitous to describe something that is truly bad, morally wrong, extremely wicked, or completely unfair. It’s a strong word — don't use it lightly. If you go see a movie that’s boring and too long, for example, it’s just a bad movie. But a movie that encourages people to take violent action against a minority group? That's iniquitous because the movie's message is grossly immoral.

Example Sentences

He labelled the sanctions "cynical and iniquitous" and said they were intended to "humiliate" Niger's security forces and make the country "ungovernable".

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2023

The food court was a part of this iniquitous setup.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2022

The iniquitous wizards have used rumors and lies to turn the populace — including the sorceress’s own daughter — against their enemy.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2022

Damond’s father, John Ruszcyzk, and her fiance, Don Damond, issued a joint statement saying the decision to charge Noor was “one step toward justice for this iniquitous act.”

From Washington Times • Mar. 21, 2018

Poverty and hard work had inflicted iniquitous damage on both.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller