SuaviloquyToday’s word

iniquitous

Iniquitous, a.

Etymology: [From Iniquity.]

Characterized by iniquity; unjust; wicked; as, an iniquitous bargain; an iniquitous proceeding. Demagogues . . . bribed to this iniquitous service. Burke.

Syn. -- Wicked; wrong; unjust; unrighteous; nefarious; criminal. -- Iniquitous, Wicked, Nefarious. Wicked is the generic term. Iniquitous is stronger, denoting a violation of the rights of others, usually by fraud or circumvention. Nefarious is still stronger, implying a breach of the most sacred obligations, and points more directly to the intrinsic badness of the deed.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for iniquitous; he lists it under criminal.

Where he writes about it:

That which is iniquitous, i. e., contrary to equity, may sometimes be done under the forms of law. — from criminal

Synonyms

criminalabominableculpablefeloniousflagitiousguiltyillegalimmoralnefarioussinfulunlawfulviciousvilewickedwrong

Antonyms

innocentjustlawfullegalmeritoriousmoralrightvirtuous

etymologyWebster’s online