English vocabulary · C1
Iniquity
/ɪˈnɪk.wɪ.ti/ · n.
It means great wickedness or serious injustice. Something deeply wrong — morally or legally.
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Example sentences
- The judge spoke of the iniquity of the old law.
- Growing up in poverty felt like a daily iniquity.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- in — not (from Latin)
- equ — equal (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- WICKEDNESS — extreme evil behavior (Moral & Personal)
- INJUSTICE — unfair treatment (Social & Legal)
- WRONGDOING — something morally wrong (Action & Behavior)
Words with the same root
equ — equal
- equal — the same in size, amount, or value
- equity — fairness; equal treatment
- adequate — enough; just good enough
Lesson notes
Iniquity. It means great wickedness or a serious act of injustice. It describes something deeply wrong — morally or legally.
Similar words are wickedness, injustice, and wrongdoing. Use iniquity when the wrong is serious and hard to accept.
The judge spoke of the iniquity of the old law. Growing up in poverty felt like a daily iniquity.
From Latin. In- means not. Equ- means equal. Not equal — that deep unfairness is iniquity.