equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl How to pronounce equitable (audio)
1
: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally with all concerned
an equitable settlement of the dispute
2
: existing or valid in equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
equitability noun
equitableness noun
equitably adverb
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 Even the number of those who said that the distribution of wealth has become more equitable rose by a record percentage. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 One of the pillars of what’s come to be called the North American Model of wildlife conservation is the equitable access to wildlife resources. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024 There is a danger that many feminist narratives leave men feeling defensive and threatened, rather than encouraged to support women who need it if our world is to become more equitable. Luba Kassova, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The idea of equitable distribution is, in turn, meant to grant flexibility in how things are divvied up; the division is supposed to be fair but not necessarily equal. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Meta spokesperson Stacey Yip says the company strives to be fair and equitable to every job candidate. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024 By leveraging the transformative power of Latino culture in music, films, TV, sports, and digital content, their work amplifies progressive Latino narratives and forms strategic partnerships with the long-term goal of shaping a more equitable future in entertainment. Ashley Lan, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 Eddie Anderson for City Council District 10 The ordained minister and activist has the vision for a safer, healthier, more equitable district and organizing skills to help make change happen. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 From banking and finance to real estate—areas once dominated by middlemen—intermediaries are now being opened up to more direct and equitable transactions. Anna C Mallon, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equitable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of equitable was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near equitable

Cite this Entry

“Equitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equitable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

equitable

adjective
eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈek-wət-ə-bəl How to pronounce equitable (audio)
: being fair or just
reached an equitable settlement of their dispute
equitableness noun
equitably adverb

Legal Definition

equitable

adjective
eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwi-tə-bəl How to pronounce equitable (audio)
1
: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally
shall allocate…payments in an equitable mannerU.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 noun
equitableness noun
equitably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on equitable

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