inequality

noun

in·equal·i·ty | \ ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē

Definition of inequality

1 : the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as

a : social disparity

b : disparity of distribution or opportunity

c : lack of evenness

d : the condition of being variable : changeableness

2 : an instance of being unequal

3 : a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usually separated by a sign of inequality (such as <, >, or ≠ signifying respectively is less than, is greater than, or is not equal to)

Examples of inequality in a Sentence

They discussed the problem of inequality between students. He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices. He has proposed a new system designed to remove inequalities in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

As with any addiction, this process produces short-term euphoria, reflected in share prices, but long-term pathology, reflected in income inequality, poverty and social unrest. — Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, "Employers will do almost anything to find workers to fill jobs — except pay them more," 10 July 2018 How did the world’s greatest democracy and economy become a land of crumbling roads, galloping income inequality, bitter polarization and dysfunctional government? — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Xiaomi Flop, Brexit Resignation, Formula Lobbying: CEO Daily for July 9, 2018," 9 July 2018 Achievement gaps across race and class, for instance, are an important reminder of broader social and economic inequalities, and advocates have used evidence about those patterns to make the case for universal early-childhood education. — Jack Schneider, The Atlantic, "The Problem With Generalizing About ‘America’s Schools’," 5 July 2018 By 2049, China wants to achieve full prosperity, including alleviating poverty, inequality, and pollution. — Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, "The costs of liberty," 15 June 2018 Playmob aligns their mission with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, which address a broad range of issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and hunger. — National Geographic, "New Game Asks Players to Clean the Ocean of Plastic," 8 June 2018 More current research shows that social inequality, not biology, is to blame for most racial-health disparities. — Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, "The Woman Who Challenged the Idea that Black Communities Were Destined for Disease," 6 June 2018 Last year, Geragos helped negotiate a multiyear, multimillion-dollar deal between Nike and Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL player known for inspiring other players to protest police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues. — Christopher Weber, The Seattle Times, "Celebrity lawyer Geragos linked to Avenatti extortion case," 26 Mar. 2019 The Star-Spangled Banner’’ to protest racial inequality and the treatment of blacks by police. — Jaclyn Reiss, BostonGlobe.com, "Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly criticized Trump in a secret NFL meeting last fall," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inequality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.