iniquity

noun

in·​iq·​ui·​ty i-ˈni-kwə-tē 

plural iniquities

1

: gross injustice : wickedness

2

: a wicked act or thing : sin

Synonyms

• corruption
• debauchery
• depravity
• immorality
• iniquitousness
• libertinage
• libertinism
• licentiousness
• profligacy
• sin
• vice

Examples of iniquity in a Sentence

the use of illegal narcotics is not only a destroyer of personal health but also an iniquity that undermines our society

a nation still struggling with the aftereffects of the iniquity of slavery

Recent Examples on the Web

This book makes the case that there is a subtler iniquity in the sins of forgetting, in papering over, in moving in and moving on. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024

Not always, of course; like any subset of humanity, churches are just as likely to be filled with iniquity, pettiness, and spite. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024

Recommended reading: In our new special issue, a Wall Street legend gets a radical makeover, a tale of crypto iniquity, misbehaving poultry royalty, and more. Read the stories. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 9 Sep. 2024

In our new special issue, a Wall Street legend gets a radical makeover, a tale of crypto iniquity, misbehaving poultry royalty, and more. —Margaret Franklin, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English iniquite, from Anglo-French iniquité, from Latin iniquitat-, iniquitas, from iniquus uneven, from in- + aequus equal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing iniquity

• den of iniquity

Rhymes for iniquity

• antiquity
• obliquity
• ubiquity

Kids Definition

iniquity

noun

in·​iq·​ui·​ty in-ˈik-wət-ē 

plural iniquities

1

: complete injustice or wickedness

2

: something that is unjust or wicked : sin