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

For long periods of time, the iniquities of the Middle East can appear frozen, and, therefore, manageable. —Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

Its Los Angeles is still stalked by femme fatales and political iniquity, though the old glamour is thinning. —Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2023

Colonialism, once equated by the West with civilizing progress, became synonymous with iniquity. —Roger Cohen, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2023

Alberto Moravia’s most famous novel, Two Women, published in 1957, is a tale of iniquity in which no one is spared, told from the point of view of two women, a mother and daughter. —Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023

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