iniquity

noun

in·​iq·​ui·​ty i-ˈni-kwə-tē How to pronounce iniquity (audio)
plural iniquities
1
: gross injustice : wickedness
2
: a wicked act or thing : sin

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 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 New limited series Black Narcissus will follow one convent’s intense struggle to maintain its sanctitude amidst a community that tests it devotion to God, carefully toeing the line between piety and iniquity. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 22 Sep. 2020 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 7 Apr. 2023 Over the course of a lively, nearly hour-long conversation last week, Ulvaeus talked about CISAC and its annual report issued early Wednesday, but mostly about songwriters, songwriting, the value of songs, and the iniquity of the decades-old payment structure. Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 Oct. 2021 Will responding to the gaffe of the day by demanding a six-step apology usher in an age of justice for all, or an end to iniquity? Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'iniquity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of iniquity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near iniquity

Cite this Entry

“Iniquity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iniquity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

iniquity

noun
in·​iq·​ui·​ty in-ˈik-wət-ē How to pronounce iniquity (audio)
plural iniquities
1
: complete injustice or wickedness
2
: something that is unjust or wicked : sin

More from Merriam-Webster on iniquity

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