iniquitous

adjective

i-ˈni-kwə-təs How to pronounce iniquitous (audio)
Definition of iniquitousnext
as in unlawful
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable zero tolerance at the academy for cheating and other iniquitous practices

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective iniquitous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of iniquitous are corrupt, degenerate, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can corrupt take the place of iniquitous?

While the synonyms corrupt and iniquitous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When could degenerate be used to replace iniquitous?

In some situations, the words degenerate and iniquitous are roughly equivalent. However, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When can nefarious be used instead of iniquitous?

The synonyms nefarious and iniquitous are sometimes interchangeable, but nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

When might vicious be a better fit than iniquitous?

While in some cases nearly identical to iniquitous, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

Where would villainous be a reasonable alternative to iniquitous?

The words villainous and iniquitous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of iniquitous That morning, on the day of his exam, looking up at the stone façades, Gabriel suddenly realized that this was a place that existed not despite but because of the iniquitous history exhibited here. — Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024 Palestinian leaders rejected the 1947 UN Partition Plan for its iniquitous terms, but then accepted partition on significantly less advantageous terms in 1988. — Hussein Agha, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2021 When those writing about cyber-security and cyber-hacking do so irresponsibly, attempting merely to fan the flames of angst, there is no question that such shoddy and perhaps even iniquitous efforts are sad, hurtful, and do not advance sensibly the battle between cyber-security and cyber-hacking. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 14 June 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for iniquitous
  1. unlawful
  2. immoral
  3. evil
  4. sinful
  5. vicious
  6. vile
  7. wicked
  8. dark
Adjective
  • Legal experts say the moves are likely unlawful, workers complain they were sloppily handled, and the whole process runs the risk of doing long-term damage to critical workings of the federal government.
    — Emily Peck, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The aim is to explore ways to build more confidence and more transparency on our nuclear energy program in return for the lifting of unlawful sanctions.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The campaign materials were unequivocal: Worley believed LGBT influences in society were immoral.
    — Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And so Rose, immortal on the field, with a bat, was judged immoral off it by the saints who guard baseball’s gate.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Ben Stiller even makes a brief cameo as the evil nursing home orderly, Hal.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The children were not killed by an Israeli rocket attack, as Hamas claimed, but brutally murdered by evil terrorists.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of evil
Adjective
  • Michelle Yeoh Yeoh may be in her villain era, but there's nothing sinful about her Louvre look.
    — Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The dominant Christian theology of the Middle Ages held that wealth was inherently sinful in a world where most people toiled in terrible poverty.
    — Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of sinful
Adjective
  • At age 55, the director of the vicious South Korean social satire Parasite specializes in adolescent appeal.
    — Armond White, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Ferran’s Blanche puts up a vicious fight, but Mescal’s Stanley relishes the roughhousing.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • The Oakland Jewish Alliance, a grassroots organization formed in the wake of these vile acts, has reported over 400 incidents of antisemitic graffiti around the Lake Merritt/Lakeshore neighborhoods in a one-year period.
    — Mark Cohen, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Charlie Kirk is a vile bigot, and standing with him on this issue is profoundly disturbing.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of vile
Adjective
  • The two swap places to reunite their divorced parents while also attempting to derail Annie’s dad's engagement to his soon-to-be wicked fiancee, Meredith.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, formerly of San Francisco, is one of those wicked sideline-to-sideline hammers with coverage skills, assuming his Achilles is right.
    — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of wicked
Adjective
  • While it’s been nearly a decade since Markle was seen on the small screen, Rachel and her wardrobe remain as relevant as ever—especially with dark academia trending in fashion.
    — Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Boat Rocker’s slate currently comprises the likes of 1980s throwback dark comedy Video Nasty, drama series Mix Tape and Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber’s Sundance 2024 doc War Game.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of dark

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Cite this Entry

“Iniquitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/iniquitous. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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