equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl 

1

: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly with all concerned

an equitable settlement of the dispute

often, specifically : fair in a way that accounts for and attempts to offset disparities in the way people of different races, genders, etc. are treated

To enable all students to achieve a common set of standards requires equitable—not equal—treatment.

—Karen Humphrey

The health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are not equally felt. … Justice-oriented policies would aim for equitable (not equal) distribution of necessary pandemic resources—equitable based on a shared definition of fairness instead of equal, the same across groups.

—Gottfried Schweiger

2

: existing or valid in equity as distinguished from law

an equitable defense

equitability

ˌe-kwə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

equitableness

ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

equitably

ˈe-kwə-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• candid
• disinterested
• dispassionate
• equal
• evenhanded
• fair
• impartial
• indifferent
• just
• nonpartisan
• objective
• square
• unbiased
• unprejudiced

Choose the Right Synonym for equitable

fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side.

fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

Examples of equitable in a Sentence

They reached an equitable settlement of their dispute.

fighting for a more equitable distribution of funds

an equitable system of taxation

Recent Examples on the Web

Gender equity creates greater economies, improved communities and a more equitable world. —Shikha Bajaj, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Again this year, Albany’s policymakers are choosing to ignore the constitutional promise of adequate and equitable school funding. —Michael A. Rebell, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025

Stronger enforcement of equal pay laws, pay transparency regulations, a higher minimum wage, policies to align school and work schedules, and again, paid leave could all make being a working mother a more equitable—and therefore appealing—experience. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Apr. 2025

By requiring a full viewing of all contenders in a category, the Academy hopes to promote more informed, equitable voting, especially for smaller films that might not have massive marketing budgets. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for equitable

• inequitable

Kids Definition

equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈek-wət-ə-bəl 

: being fair or just

reached an equitable settlement of their dispute

equitableness noun

equitably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwi-tə-bəl 

1

: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally

shall allocate…payments in an equitable manner

—U.S. Code

2

: existing or valid in equity or as a matter of equity as distinguished from law

an equitable defense

compare legal sense 4

equitability

ˌe-kwi-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

equitableness noun

equitably adverb