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
Erik Ortiz Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality.
—
Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Many on the left focused on racial inequality, gender inequality and LGBTQ inequality.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Promoting opportunity, individual self-empowerment, and access to the marketplace hasn’t addressed the structural inequalities that have historically generated barriers to African-American economic security.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
To address inequality at its roots, without sacrificing the rule of law or the ideal of a truly multiracial democracy—that is more difficult.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inequality 
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Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Many on the left focused on racial inequality, gender inequality and LGBTQ inequality.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Promoting opportunity, individual self-empowerment, and access to the marketplace hasn’t addressed the structural inequalities that have historically generated barriers to African-American economic security.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
To address inequality at its roots, without sacrificing the rule of law or the ideal of a truly multiracial democracy—that is more difficult.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inequality
Articles Related to inequality
Dictionary Entries Near inequality
Cite this Entry
“Inequality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inequality. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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