English Explanatory Dictionary

iniquity

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Deviation from what is right; gross injustice, sin, wickedness.
  2. An act of great injustice or unfairness; a sinful or wicked act; an unconscionable deed.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈɪkwɪti/ En-uk-iniquity.oga /-kwə-/ [-ɾi]

Word forms

iniquity iniquities iniquitie

Etymology

From Middle English iniquite, jniquite (“evil, wickedness, iniquity; evil act; hostility, malevolence; hostile act; a calamity, misfortune”), from Old French iniquité (modern French iniquité (“iniquity”)), from Latin inīquitās (“iniquity; inequality, unfairness; inequity, injustice”), from inīquus (“unequal, uneven, unfair; disadvantageous, unfavourable; hostile, unkind; unsuitable; wicked, wrong”) + -itās (variant of -tās (suffix forming a noun indicating a state of being)). Inīquus is derived from in- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + aequus (“equal; fair, impartial, just”). Piecewise doublet of inequity.

Synonyms

baseness corruption defilement degeneracy degradation depravation depravedness depravity impurity iniquity lewdity malignity misdoing misguilt obliquity peccability perversion pollution pravity sin sinfulness turpitude vitiation wickedness wrongdoing outrage atrocity infamy wrong

Antonyms

integrity morality well-doing

Related words

abyss

Derived words

den of iniquity iniquitous iniquitously iniquitousness sink of iniquity
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