equitable
adjective
eq·ui·ta·ble
ˈe-kwə-tə-bəl 
1
: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly with all concerned
an equitable settlement of the dispute
often, specifically
: fair in a way that accounts for and attempts to offset disparities in the way people of different races, genders, etc. are treated
To enable all students to achieve a common set of standards requires equitable—not equal—treatment. —
Karen Humphrey
Karen Humphrey The health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are not equally felt. … Justice-oriented policies would aim for equitable (not equal) distribution of necessary pandemic resources—equitable based on a shared definition of fairness instead of equal, the same across groups. —Gottfried Schweiger
Gottfried Schweiger 2
: existing or valid in equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
Examples of equitable in a Sentence
They reached an equitable settlement of their dispute.
fighting for a more equitable distribution of funds
an equitable system of taxation
Recent Examples on the Web
Ensuring transparency, consent and equitable data use is essential to building trust and avoiding unintended forms of exploitation.
—Ming-Chien Chyu, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The board also resolved to work transparently and with equitable participation to create a new funding formula that would finally end all of the bickering about money.
—Will McKenna, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2025
Schoemann proposes evaluating the voter roll purging process, hand-counting ballots, and ensuring equitable voting access.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Board member Christine Lensing said getting the teachers of one mind through collaboration is an important part of the process of creating an equitable grading policy.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for equitable
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Ming-Chien Chyu, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The board also resolved to work transparently and with equitable participation to create a new funding formula that would finally end all of the bickering about money.
—Will McKenna, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2025
Schoemann proposes evaluating the voter roll purging process, hand-counting ballots, and ensuring equitable voting access.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Board member Christine Lensing said getting the teachers of one mind through collaboration is an important part of the process of creating an equitable grading policy.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for equitable
Cite this Entry
“Equitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equitable. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
equitable
adjective
eq·ui·ta·ble
ˈek-wət-ə-bəl
: being fair or just
reached an equitable settlement of their dispute
equitableness
noun
Legal Definition
equitable
adjective
eq·ui·ta·ble
ˈe-kwi-tə-bəl
1
: having or exhibiting equity : dealing fairly and equally
shall allocate…payments in an equitable manner—U.S. Code
U.S. Code2
: existing or valid in equity or as a matter of equity as distinguished from law
an equitable defense
compare legal sense 4
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