iniquity

noun

in·​iq·​ui·​ty i-ˈni-kwə-tē How to pronounce iniquity (audio)
plural iniquities
1
: gross injustice : wickedness
2
: a wicked act or thing : sin

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 For him, gradualism was a virtue: the iniquities of the status quo had to be balanced against the risks of rapid change, which might outstrip the human capacity for adaptation. Sebastian Mallaby, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2019 See all Example Sentences for iniquity 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of iniquity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near iniquity

Cite this Entry

“Iniquity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iniquity. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

iniquity

noun
in·​iq·​ui·​ty in-ˈik-wət-ē How to pronounce iniquity (audio)
plural iniquities
1
: complete injustice or wickedness
2
: something that is unjust or wicked : sin

More from Merriam-Webster on iniquity

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