inequality

noun

Definition of inequalitynext
as in difference
a state or condition in which different things do not occur in equal amounts They discussed the problem of inequality between students. He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inequality This story was produced by WUSF and The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 The San Agustín tours predate this political change, and many of the capital’s old boundaries and inequalities still hold. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 Lewis, a housing scholar at Sacred Heart University, said the project grew from her interest in housing inequality in Bridgeport and her desire to conduct research differently. — Reginald David, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026 Written nearly a century ago, the statement remains strikingly relevant, particularly in conversations about economic inequality, privilege, caste, education, and poverty. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inequality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inequality
  1. difference
  2. diversity
  3. distance
  4. imbalance
  5. distinctiveness
  6. distinctness
  7. divergence
  8. disparity
Noun
  • Those ideas say some people are superior to others, and the inequality that exists in the world around us reflects those innate differences, and inequality is a good thing, and a necessary thing, and the only real way to organize social life.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Recent sales data suggest shoppers are responding to the price difference.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • Historically a safe haven, the Vineyard is now seen as the epicenter for changing the narrative on diversity, showcasing Black and Brown Americans as the backbone of the nation's economy and future.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Gonzalez appeared at a contentious July congressional hearing in which the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History director, Anthea Hartig, was grilled on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programming.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • The footage also showed federal agents were by the apartment front door and Neal was at a significant distance when the shooting occurred, according to Wharton.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But Norris ensured that Antonelli could not escape into the distance and, after both cars switched to the hard compound tire, started to look more comfortable than the championship leader.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of distance
Noun
  • Why your knees may be taking the hit Unfortunately, modern life biases muscle use toward the front of the body, which reinforces posture problems and strength imbalances that disrupt the natural function of your braking system.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The move addresses some of the positional imbalance on the Wizards’ wing-heavy roster.
    — Josh Robbins, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of imbalance
Noun
  • America is the ultimate answer to the pogrom, and to the emancipation Europe offered on the condition of relinquishing Jewish ethnic and cultural distinctiveness.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In a portfolio of consumer brands, each brand's value lies substantially in its distinctiveness.
    — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of distinctiveness
Noun
  • How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?
    — Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.
    — Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of distinctness
Noun
  • The London and New York gold markets are also experiencing bouts of sharp price divergence.
    — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The divergence has helped Taiwan pull ahead of South Korea in gross domestic product per capita in 2025 for the first time in more than two decades, a gap that is expected to widen further this year.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of divergence
Noun
  • Have there been any improvements in access to care or in addressing health disparities?
    — Maggie Donahue, HEALTH, 20 Aug. 2026
  • What the research shows The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released a landmark study in November 2025 revealing severe gender and racial disparities among the creators and guests of popular podcasts.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of disparity

Browse Nearby Words

ineptness
inequality
inequitable
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Cite this Entry

“Inequality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inequality. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inequality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inequality

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