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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
The food court was a part of this iniquitous setup.
—Angella Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2022
When those writing about cyber-security and cyber-hacking do so irresponsibly, attempting merely to fan the flames of angst, there is no question that such shoddy and perhaps even iniquitous efforts are sad, hurtful, and do not advance sensibly the battle between cyber-security and cyber-hacking.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 14 June 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
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
The food court was a part of this iniquitous setup.
—Angella Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2022
When those writing about cyber-security and cyber-hacking do so irresponsibly, attempting merely to fan the flames of angst, there is no question that such shoddy and perhaps even iniquitous efforts are sad, hurtful, and do not advance sensibly the battle between cyber-security and cyber-hacking.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 14 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for iniquitous
Adjective
-
None, however, elaborated on what orders were considered unlawful.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The California Coastal Commission has issued multiple cease-and-desist orders to Sable Offshore for allegedly conducting unlawful repair work.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.—
Mark Pinkert,
Oc Register,
23 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Hefner the evil flesh merchant.—
Lili Anolik,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In director John Boorman's extravagant sci-fi classic Excalibur (1981), the star played Morgana, King Arthur's estranged and evil half-sister.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Gettin’ sinful all of a sudden.—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Tantric cultural and spiritual traditions, which began to emerge in the early centuries of the Common Era, take a positive perspective on the material world in general and the human body in particular, as opposed to traditions that regard both as inherently illusory or sinful.—
Anya Foxen,
The Conversation,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
These vicious youths fell the infected almost for sport, which undersells the source of terror so essential to the series.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
-
His charges there include interference with law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large, according to a news release from KCK police.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Removing a vile, brutal, and corrupt president without a clear transition plan, and relying on his former regime to deliver if for you, is not supporting democracy.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Grok, the chatbot of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, published sexualized images of children as its guardrails seem to have failed when it was prompted with vile user requests.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Park Chan-wook’s latest masterwork is a wicked comedy of capitalism and homicide.—
Ty Burr,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
-
So much so that a few of the most popular colorways sold out wicked fast.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Don't feel afraid to play with bold (but dark) colors and various materials.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Open my soul to the vast dark places.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Iniquitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/iniquitous. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
