iniquity

noun

in·​iq·​ui·​ty i-ˈni-kwə-tē 

plural iniquities

1

: gross injustice : wickedness

2

: a wicked act or thing : sin

Synonyms

• corruption
• debauchery
• depravity
• immorality
• iniquitousness
• libertinage
• libertinism
• licentiousness
• profligacy
• sin
• vice

Examples of iniquity in a Sentence

the use of illegal narcotics is not only a destroyer of personal health but also an iniquity that undermines our society

a nation still struggling with the aftereffects of the iniquity of slavery

Recent Examples on the Web

Not always, of course; like any subset of humanity, churches are just as likely to be filled with iniquity, pettiness, and spite. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024

Recommended reading: In our new special issue, a Wall Street legend gets a radical makeover, a tale of crypto iniquity, misbehaving poultry royalty, and more. Read the stories. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 9 Sep. 2024

In our new special issue, a Wall Street legend gets a radical makeover, a tale of crypto iniquity, misbehaving poultry royalty, and more. —Margaret Franklin, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024

For him, gradualism was a virtue: the iniquities of the status quo had to be balanced against the risks of rapid change, which might outstrip the human capacity for adaptation. —Sebastian Mallaby, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English iniquite, from Anglo-French iniquité, from Latin iniquitat-, iniquitas, from iniquus uneven, from in- + aequus equal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing iniquity

• den of iniquity

Kids Definition

iniquity

noun

in·​iq·​ui·​ty in-ˈik-wət-ē 

plural iniquities

1

: complete injustice or wickedness

2

: something that is unjust or wicked : sin