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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 Scholars have attributed this limited success, despite consistent efforts to recruit Black Americans, to educational inequalities and the conservative culture of the officer corps. — Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 Least Heat-Moon is part-indigenous, and his sensitive awareness of race, class, and historical inequalities enriches his anthropological, but poetic style. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 These policies—or the lack of them—have harmed long-range educational and employment outcomes, eroded public health, entrenched inequality, discouraged couples from having children, and stressed the bejesus out of parents. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 Bolsa Familia was the subject of thousands of academic studies in Brazil and abroad, which reported significant reductions in poverty, inequality and infant mortality. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 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
  • Venus in your partnership zone forms an awkward connection to Uranus in your finance sector, making differences around spending, security, or priorities harder to ignore.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The same global brand expression must remain consistent while responding accurately to these differences.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • This week, Levine Cava revealed a planned purge of the county staff working for volunteer Miami-Dade boards that promote diversity and activities aimed at different ethnic or racial groups.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Hegseth has also sought to restore tributes to Confederate soldiers and has attacked military diversity.
    — Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • Dining, shopping, and a park are all within walking distance.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Pantoja came out determined to impose his style from the opening seconds, but Van found a way to keep him at a distance, counter with his boxing and survive the former champion’s takedown attempts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of distance
Noun
  • That could help address the cost imbalance created when militaries use missiles priced above $100,000 to destroy drones worth only a few hundred dollars.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The most curious aspect of Webb’s first night in the play-calling seat was Denver’s pass-run imbalance when the game was still to be decided.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of imbalance
Noun
  • Generally speaking, sports fans don’t bring up United States history when talking about their team’s big game, but that’s the distinctiveness of this rivalry.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The key lesson for personal branding is to embrace distinctiveness, substance, and a unique voice, rather than conforming to generic professionalism.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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 study found a similar divergence in opinions among working-class Latino voters.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The potential divergence among these three major central banks at this single juncture underscores the complexity of the current global financial environment.
    — , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of divergence
Noun
  • And that disparity between the rhetoric that's coming from high-level Republicans in Washington and from these tech CEOs is quite striking.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This disparity highlights just how much the upper end of Broward’s housing market is outperforming the rest.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inequality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inequality

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