equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl 

1

: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally with all concerned

an equitable settlement of the dispute

2

: existing or valid in equity as distinguished from law

an equitable defense

equitability

ˌe-kwə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

equitableness

ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

equitably

ˈe-kwə-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• candid
• disinterested
• dispassionate
• equal
• evenhanded
• fair
• impartial
• indifferent
• just
• nonpartisan
• objective
• square
• unbiased
• unprejudiced

Choose the Right Synonym for equitable

fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side.

fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

Examples of equitable in a Sentence

They reached an equitable settlement of their dispute.

fighting for a more equitable distribution of funds

an equitable system of taxation

Recent Examples on the Web

The improvements align with the district’s Rebuilding Stronger plan, which aims to revamp the district’s middle school experience by providing more equitable access to school programming like athletic offerings. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024

Or is there still time to navigate toward a better, more equitable future? —Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024

And how will economically marginalized people gain equitable access to gene therapies that hold the greatest promise for them? —Edward Abrahams and Christopher J. Wells, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024

Advocates with Fair Share Maryland, a coalition of labor, civil rights and civic advocacy organizations, said delaying tax increases another year would mean missing an opportunity to make the state’s tax code more equitable. —Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Netanyahu's government has been ordered to present a new plan for a more equitable draft law by today. —Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, arkansasonline.com, 1 Apr. 2024

The exemption was never enshrined in a law that the Supreme Court views as equitable. —Mick Krever, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024

This is why our continued work to build a diverse, inclusive and equitable culture isn't derailed by environmental disruption. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

The change is part of the district’s Rebuilding Stronger plan, which aims to better allocate resources across the district to provide more equitable access to school offerings to every student. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈek-wət-ə-bəl 

: being fair or just

reached an equitable settlement of their dispute

equitableness noun

equitably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwi-tə-bəl 

1

: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally

shall allocate…payments in an equitable manner

—U.S. Code

2

: existing or valid in equity or as a matter of equity as distinguished from law

an equitable defense

compare legal sense 4

equitability

ˌe-kwi-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

equitableness noun

equitably adverb