inequality
noun
in·equal·i·ty
ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē 
1
: the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as
a
: social disparity
b
: disparity of distribution or opportunity
c
: lack of evenness
d
: the condition of being variable : changeableness
2
: an instance of being unequal
3
: a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usually separated by a sign of inequality (such as <, >, or ≠ signifying respectively is less than, is greater than, or is not equal to)
Examples of inequality in a Sentence
They discussed the problem of inequality between students.
He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices.
He has proposed a new system designed to remove inequalities in health care.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adolescents’ awareness of and concerns about inequalities diverged during Trump’s first presidency based on their political views.
—
Laura Wray-Lake, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Katy’s research is on understanding the micro-mechanisms involved in conflict, emotion, inequality, and crime.
—Harvard Business Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Is a scramble for resources to blame for conflict, or are incipient inequalities and economic injustice the primary cause; or perhaps the two are related in some way?
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Increasing income inequality in California is occurring at the same time that the number of people in the state living below the poverty line is growing.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inequality
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Laura Wray-Lake, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Katy’s research is on understanding the micro-mechanisms involved in conflict, emotion, inequality, and crime.
—Harvard Business Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Is a scramble for resources to blame for conflict, or are incipient inequalities and economic injustice the primary cause; or perhaps the two are related in some way?
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Increasing income inequality in California is occurring at the same time that the number of people in the state living below the poverty line is growing.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inequality
Cite this Entry
“Inequality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inequality. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inequality
noun
in·equal·i·ty
ˌin-i-ˈkwäl-ət-ē
plural inequalities
1
: the quality of being unequal
2
: an instance of being unequal (as an irregularity in a surface)
3
: a statement in mathematics or logic that two quantities usually separated by a special sign (as <, >, or ≠ respectively meaning "is less than," "is greater than," or "is not equal to") are not equal
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