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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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

Examples 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 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 The food court was a part of this iniquitous setup. Angella Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2022 Corporate America and conservatives consider the very idea of the government’s deciding what to fund and what not to fund iniquitous. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021 Similar makeovers have been undertaken on behalf of such iniquitous figures as Blackbeard, Henry VIII, Robespierre and the Marquis de Sade. Joe Queenan, WSJ, 10 June 2021 And there's a broader drive in American culture to expose iniquitous power relations and reevaluate revered historical figures. Michelle Goldberg, Star Tribune, 21 May 2021 On January 28, 2020, a lawsuit was filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York under which 80 people came forward with yet another iniquitous side of NXIVM. Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 28 Oct. 2020 His views on the meaning of the Constitution were considered by some of the political class to be iniquitous. Leslie Southwick, National Review, 17 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for iniquitous
Adjective
  • Currently incarcerated in Utah, YoungBoy faces six charges of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, as well as charges related to a pattern of unlawful activity stemming from a May 2023 arrest.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Some are called because of incorrect ingredient information on packet labels or unlawful importation, for example.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Regulated sportsbooks find gambling on minors immoral in some respects, but you guys don’t.
    Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • In a 2022 Pew Research Center study, growing numbers of Americans said members of the other party are dishonest, immoral and closed-minded.
    Rachel Carlson, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Millions of people around the world celebrate the Persian festival of Yalda, which marks the sunrise after the longest night of the year, said to be the night evil forces held the most power.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Much like 2014’s Ouija, a group of tedious teens unleash an evil entity haunting a specific set of tarot cards.
    Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But it also was forged from a particular kind of alchemy that separates a sinful holiday confection from a sugar-sodden mess.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
  • While the Church teaches that homosexual acts are sinful, Francis has made efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics feel welcome.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
  • That was confirmed by his patron in Moscow, which supported the regime in crushing what started as a peaceful protest movement during the Arab Spring and became a vicious civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and sparked a refugee crisis.
    Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Its main proxy, Hezbollah, was crippled by a pager attack on its hierarchy, and then by weeks of vicious airstrikes.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The dancing on the death of somebody was pretty vile.
    Miranda Kennedy, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The hour sits with him as his anxiety builds, causing some to sympathize with him despite his typical vile behavior.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The word ‘wicked’ is so small that it can be thrown from the open back door of a school bus.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 9 Dec. 2024
  • In an awards season that is looking pretty wicked on a number of levels, the Golden Globes pulled back the curtain on some magical contenders this morning.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The user posted the images and videos, including an image of a light in the sky, and several videos that appear to be shot from a plane cabin, but are very dark.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The best places to watch are dark sky parks Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near iniquitous

Cite this Entry

“Iniquitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/iniquitous. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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