equitable

adjective

eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl How to pronounce equitable (audio)
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
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
2
: existing or valid in equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
equitability noun
equitableness noun
equitably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for equitable

fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side.

fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

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
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of equitable was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Equitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equitable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

equitable

adjective
eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈek-wət-ə-bəl How to pronounce equitable (audio)
: being fair or just
reached an equitable settlement of their dispute
equitableness noun
equitably adverb

Legal Definition

equitable

adjective
eq·​ui·​ta·​ble ˈe-kwi-tə-bəl How to pronounce equitable (audio)
1
: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally
shall allocate…payments in an equitable mannerU.S. Code
2
: existing or valid in equity or as a matter of equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
compare legal sense 4
equitability noun
equitableness noun
equitably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on equitable

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