inequality

noun

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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 Sophomore defensive lineman Byron Young has also been among other football players frequently retweeting posts this week highlighting issues with racial inequality. — Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, "Alabama coaches, players to march Monday about social injustice," 29 Aug. 2020 Protests against police brutality and racial inequality intensified earlier this week after a police officer in the southeastern Wisconsin city shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back. — Bloomberg.com, "Trump Faults Democrats, Cities; Lockdowns Spread: Protest Wrap," 25 Aug. 2020 Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, started kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to draw attention to police brutality and racial inequality. — Christopher Brito, CBS News, "NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he wishes he had "listened earlier" to Colin Kaepernick," 24 Aug. 2020 In a scene that mirrored the widespread protests in recent months over police brutality and racial inequality, marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which houses the police and sheriff’s departments. — Scott Bauer And Morry Gash, chicagotribune.com, "Midway between Milwaukee and Chicago, Kenosha is the nation’s latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest," 24 Aug. 2020 In a scene that mirrored the widespread protests in recent months over police brutality and racial inequality, marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which houses the police and sheriff’s departments. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Wisconsin National Guard called out after police shoot Black man," 24 Aug. 2020 The Orlando Magic forward, who is Black, stood while the players and coaches from both teams took a knee and wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts in support of the current movement against police brutality and racial inequality. — Ally Mauch, PEOPLE.com, "NBA Star Explains Why He Didn't Kneel and Wear Black Lives Matter Shirt During National Anthem," 1 Aug. 2020 The case has become extremely high-profile and has led to broader movements to reckon with racial inequality in the country. — Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, "Judge issues gag order in George Floyd case after attorneys for officers charged gave interviews," 9 July 2020 National production in surplus countries with high income inequality is likely to exceed national expenditure because the rich have high savings rates. — WSJ, "Relationship of Inequality to Trade Conflicts," 30 June 2020

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.