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Definition of inequality noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

inequality

noun
 
/ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/
 
/ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/
[uncountable, countable]
(plural inequalities)
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  1. the unfair difference between groups of people in society, when some have more wealth, status or opportunities than others
    • We need to tackle inequality of opportunity wherever we find it.
    • economic inequalities between different areas
    • Gender and racial inequality are still widespread throughout society.
    opposite equality
    Collocations RaceRaceRace and society
    • fight for/​struggle for/​promote racial equality/​civil rights/​equal rights
    • outlaw/​end discrimination/​segregation
    • promote/​embrace/​celebrate/​champion diversity/​multiculturalism
    • attack/​criticize/​oppose/​reject multiculturalism
    • bridge/​break down/​transcend cultural/​racial barriers
    • practise/​promote (racial/​religious) tolerance/​integration
    • exacerbate/​widen/​perpetuate/​reinforce (racial/​socio-economic) inequality
    • conform to/​challenge/​violate (accepted/​established/​prevailing/​dominant) social/​cultural norms
    Prejudice and racism
    • experience/​encounter racism/​discrimination/​prejudice/​anti-Semitism/​Islamophobia
    • face/​suffer persecution/​discrimination
    • fear/​escape from/​flee (racial/​political/​religious) persecution
    • denounce/​condemn racism/​hate/​anti-Semitism/​Islamophobia
    • challenge/​confront racism/​discrimination/​prejudice
    • combat/​dismantle/​eradicate/​fight (blatant/​overt/​covert/​subtle/​institutional/​systemic) racism
    • perpetuate/​defy (common/​popular/​traditional/​negative) stereotypes
    • entrench/​perpetuate racism/​racist attitudes
    • reflect/​reveal/​show/​have a racial/​cultural bias
    • constitute/​be a form of racial/​race discrimination
    • discriminate/​be prejudiced/​be biased against minority groups/​minorities/​people of colour
    see also unequal
    Extra Examples
    • Even in the age of compulsory school, inequalities in education have remained.
    • Inequalities of income would lead to even greater inequalities in access to healthcare.
    • Many sociologists have regarded education as central in perpetuating inequality.
    • Sex inequality in pay reinforces class inequality.
    • Some believe that education perpetuates inequality.
    • The country has had some success in redressing racial inequalities.
    • The introduction of school fees would create inequality between schools.
    • The law merely serves to reinforce social inequalities.
    • They can build a more harmonious society once inequality and exploitation are removed.
    • economic inequality between men and women
    • efforts to address class and gender inequalities and to rebalance power
    • gender inequality in education
    • inequalities based on racism and social class
    • inequalities that exist in wealth and income
    • the gross social inequalities of the past
    • A new pattern of class inequality seems to be emerging.
    • Growing inequality and poverty present a huge challenge to international agencies.
    • Inequalities in health tend to reflect inequalities in income.
    • The aim of universal benefits was to reduce inequality in British society.
    • They believe that global inequalities are only increased by global capitalism.
    • We need to examine the role of the education system in perpetuating social inequality.
    Topics Social issuesc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    • gross
    • substantial
    verb + inequality
    • cause
    • create
    • lead to
    inequality + verb
    • exist
    • arise from something
    • be based on something
    preposition
    • inequality between
    • inequality in
    phrases
    • inequalities of power, wealth, etc.
    • a pattern of inequality
    See full entry
    Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French inequalite, or from Latin inaequalitas, from in- ‘not’ + aequalis (from aequus ‘even, level, equal’).
See inequality in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee inequality in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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