equitable
adjective
eq·ui·ta·ble
ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl 
1
: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly with all concerned
an equitable settlement of the dispute
often, specifically
: fair in a way that accounts for and attempts to offset disparities in the way people of different races, genders, etc. are treated
To enable all students to achieve a common set of standards requires equitable—not equal—treatment. —
Karen Humphrey
Karen Humphrey The health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are not equally felt. … Justice-oriented policies would aim for equitable (not equal) distribution of necessary pandemic resources—equitable based on a shared definition of fairness instead of equal, the same across groups. —Gottfried Schweiger
Gottfried Schweiger 2
: existing or valid in equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
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 department is designed to ensure equitable access to quality education nationwide and enforces protections for students with disabilities,
Its dismantling could be more costly for Trump-voting states than blue states, Axios' April Rubin has reported.
—Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
McCourt proposes a more equitable arrangement, allowing creators to carry their followers seamlessly from platform to platform instead.
—Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Trust isn’t given — it’s earned through responsible leadership, equitable representation and financial accountability.
—Seth Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
That way, the burden would fall on all Golden State taxpayers, not just Edison, PG&E and SDG&E customers — a much more equitable strategy, especially given California’s progressive income tax system, which requires higher earners to pay more.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equitable
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Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
McCourt proposes a more equitable arrangement, allowing creators to carry their followers seamlessly from platform to platform instead.
—Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Trust isn’t given — it’s earned through responsible leadership, equitable representation and financial accountability.
—Seth Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
That way, the burden would fall on all Golden State taxpayers, not just Edison, PG&E and SDG&E customers — a much more equitable strategy, especially given California’s progressive income tax system, which requires higher earners to pay more.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equitable
Cite this Entry
“Equitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equitable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
equitable
adjective
eq·ui·ta·ble
ˈek-wət-ə-bəl
: being fair or just
reached an equitable settlement of their dispute
equitableness
noun
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
U.S. Code2
: existing or valid in equity or as a matter of equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
compare legal sense 4
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