INIQUITOUS Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

iniquitous

adjective

i-ˈni-kwə-təs

Definition of iniquitous next

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

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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

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 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 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 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 The food court was a part of this iniquitous setup. —

Angella Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2022 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 And there's a broader drive in American culture to expose iniquitous power relations and reevaluate revered historical figures. —

Michelle Goldberg, Star Tribune, 21 May 2021 On January 28, 2020, a lawsuit was filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York under which 80 people came forward with yet another iniquitous side of NXIVM. —

Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 28 Oct. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for iniquitous

Adjective

Trump, Musk so far provide scant evidence for their claims of government fraud Trump's post on Saturday sparked backlash from Democrats, who accused him of using the office of the presidency to justify unlawful or ethically dubious actions.

— Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2025
Legal experts say the moves are likely unlawful, workers complain they were sloppily handled, and the whole process runs the risk of doing long-term damage to critical workings of the federal government.

— Emily Peck, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025