inequitable
Not evenly balanced
Inequitable means unfair or unjust, particularly in how resources, benefits, or treatment are distributed.
An inequitable tax system favors some groups over others.
The inequitable distribution of funding left poorer schools struggling.
The word carries more formal weight than simply "unfair," often appearing in discussions of policy, law, or systemic imbalance.
Unjust or partial
- wrongfulWithout legal right
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- arbitraryBased on personal whim
unreasonable · unmerited · undeserved · improper · unconscionable · exploitative · oppressive · unrighteous
Biased against a group
- partialFavoring one side
- one-sidedUnfairly weighted toward one
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
- partisanBiased toward one side
slanted · skewed · tendentious · preferential · lopsided · jaundiced · narrow-minded · subjective
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
- ableismBias against disabled individuals
elitism · nepotism · cronyism · favoritism · bigotry · casteism · xenophobia · homophobia
Unjust differential treatment
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
segregation · stratification · apartheid · redlining · gerrymandering · exploitation · oppression · disenfranchisement
unfair
Unjust or partial
- wrongfulWithout legal right
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
arbitrary · unreasonable · unmerited · undeserved · improper · unconscionable · exploitative · oppressive · unrighteous · illegitimate
prejudiced
Biased against a group
- partialFavoring one side
- one-sidedUnfairly weighted toward one
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
partisan · slanted · skewed · tendentious · preferential · lopsided · jaundiced · narrow-minded · subjective · colored
racism
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
ableism · elitism · nepotism · cronyism · favoritism · bigotry · casteism · xenophobia · homophobia · misogyny
discrimination
Unjust differential treatment
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
exclusion · segregation · stratification · apartheid · redlining · gerrymandering · exploitation · oppression · disenfranchisement · underrepresentation
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, one-sided
- intolerantbigoted, biased, prejudiced, discriminatory, intolerant
- unreasonableirrational, absurd, illogical, senseless, ludicrous