inequality
noun
in·equal·i·ty
ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē 
1
: the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as
a
: social disparity
economic/racial/gender inequality
b
: disparity of distribution or opportunity
inequality of income/employment/education
c
: lack of evenness
hampered by the inequality of the ground
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
Income inequality levels and the racial wealth gap will almost certainly persist, especially for those without generational wealth.
—
Essence, 1 Jan. 2026
Younger kids may ask why someone on the news is crying, while teens may wrestle with how to form their own opinions on injustice, politics, or global inequality.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
Wealth inequality is entrenched, with the top 1% in major economies accounting for at least 20% of wealth.
—Jan Mischke, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
The Democratic majority, which occupies nearly two-thirds of the seats in each chamber of the legislature, sees the credits as a potent tool to fight income inequality and lift people out of poverty.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inequality
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Essence, 1 Jan. 2026
Younger kids may ask why someone on the news is crying, while teens may wrestle with how to form their own opinions on injustice, politics, or global inequality.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
Wealth inequality is entrenched, with the top 1% in major economies accounting for at least 20% of wealth.
—Jan Mischke, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
The Democratic majority, which occupies nearly two-thirds of the seats in each chamber of the legislature, sees the credits as a potent tool to fight income inequality and lift people out of poverty.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inequality
Cite this Entry
“Inequality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inequality. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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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