Synonyms of iniquitous

iniquitous

adjective

i-ˈni-kwə-təs 

as in unlawful

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

zero tolerance at the academy for cheating and other iniquitous practices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlawful
• immoral
• evil
• sinful
• vicious
• vile
• wicked
• dark
• bad
• obscene
• nefarious
• rotten
• villainous
• cruel
• corrupt
• infamous
• wrong
• unrighteous
• unethical
• illegal
• improper
• ugly
• unauthorized
• offensive
• unsavory
• cursed
• dirty
• contemptible
• condemned
• nasty
• sordid
• infernal
• ignoble
• despicable
• disreputable
• prohibited
• pernicious
• depraved
• atrocious
• reprehensible
• objectionable
• forbidden
• dishonest
• ungodly
• naughty
• ill
• perverted
• noxious
• debased
• debauched
• censurable
• unwholesome
• dissolute
• incorrect
• mean
• sick
• unhealthy
• snide
• pestilential
• degenerate
• blameworthy
• fallen
• wretched
• scrofulous
• unscrupulous
• miserable
• libertine
• unprincipled
• evil-minded
• unseemly
• execrable
• unclean
• base
• indecent
• proscribed
• loose
• outlawed
• blamable
• vulgar
• low-minded
• barred
• dishonorable
• low
• discouraged
• errant
• unbecoming
• indecorous
• lousy
• reprobate
• disallowed
• erring
• cussed
• interdicted
• banned
• defiling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• righteous
• moral
• virtuous
• honorable
• ethical
• sublime
• good
• noble
• right
• lofty
• high
• legitimate
• honest
• decent
• legal
• upright
• scrupulous
• permissible
• permitted
• just
• elevated
• principled
• reputable
• authorized
• approved
• endorsed
• proper
• correct
• licensed
• sanctioned
• high-minded
• promoted
• supported
• allowed
• exemplary
• decent
• seemly
• clean
• perfect
• pure
• innocent
• commendable
• wholesome
• decorous
• encouraged
• guiltless
• creditable
• law-abiding
• blameless
• white
• unobjectionable
• worthy
• irreproachable
• incorruptible
• immaculate
• abetted
• venerable
• chaste
• spotless
• inoffensive
• uncorrupted
• unerring
• esteemed
• respected
• unfallen
• squeaky-clean
• lily-white
• upstanding

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective iniquitous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of iniquitous are corrupt, degenerate, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can corrupt take the place of iniquitous?

While the synonyms corrupt and iniquitous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When could degenerate be used to replace iniquitous?

In some situations, the words degenerate and iniquitous are roughly equivalent. However, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When can nefarious be used instead of iniquitous?

The synonyms nefarious and iniquitous are sometimes interchangeable, but nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

When might vicious be a better fit than iniquitous?

While in some cases nearly identical to iniquitous, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

Where would villainous be a reasonable alternative to iniquitous?

The words villainous and iniquitous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of iniquitous

Our community is small, and when someone like Scott comes along, we are comforted and start growing confidence that perhaps the city administration will look back at the iniquitous history that left us landless in our own homeland. — Richard B. Williams, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025

That morning, on the day of his exam, looking up at the stone façades, Gabriel suddenly realized that this was a place that existed not despite but because of the iniquitous history exhibited here. — Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024

Corporate America and conservatives consider the very idea of the government’s deciding what to fund and what not to fund iniquitous. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021

Similar makeovers have been undertaken on behalf of such iniquitous figures as Blackbeard, Henry VIII, Robespierre and the Marquis de Sade. — Joe Queenan, WSJ, 10 June 2021

Palestinian leaders rejected the 1947 UN Partition Plan for its iniquitous terms, but then accepted partition on significantly less advantageous terms in 1988. — Hussein Agha, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2021