inequity

noun

in·​eq·​ui·​ty (ˌ)i-ˈne-kwə-tē 

1

: injustice, unfairness

social/racial/educational inequity

… rebellion against flagrant inequity in the labor market …

—Robert Lekachman

2

: an instance of injustice or unfairness

wage inequities

Synonyms of inequity

• injustice

Examples of inequity in a Sentence

the inequities in wages paid to men and women

the inequity of the punishment led many people to believe that the defendant was being punished for his political beliefs

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers found that these communities are less likely to have resources to prepare for or recover from toxic floods, highlighting environmental inequity. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Although these inequities do exist, the NBA made a strong push during the mid-2010s to reduce them. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Roundtable participants cited many long-standing structural inequities but attributed most of the latest divergence to recent federal actions. —Matt Brown, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025

But neutrality, in a system built on inequity, is not justice. —Joel Bervell, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inequity

• equity

Kids Definition

inequity

noun

in·​eq·​ui·​ty (ˈ)in-ˈek-wət-ē 

plural inequities

1

: injustice sense 1, unfairness

2

: an instance of injustice or unfairness

Legal Definition

inequity

noun

in·​eq·​ui·​ty in-ˈe-kwə-tē 

plural inequities

: injustice

also : an instance of injustice