equitably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equitably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing fairness or justice in the distribution of resources, opportunities, or treatment among individuals or groups. Example: "The organization aims to distribute funds equitably among all community members to ensure everyone has access to necessary resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Every time an Iranian judge issues a death sentence for a child offender like Ebrahimi, he should remember he is in flagrantly violating his legal responsibilities to administer justice fairly and equitably," said HRW's Joe Stork.

The Guardian

Independent senator Nick Xenophon says he will support the bill but the fees on exporters should be applied on "equitably and fairly".

The Guardian

He went on: 'I find it quite extraordinary that this grant-maintained scheme, the great failure of the Tory government, the thing they cannot bribe or bully schools into taking over... why we should prop it up seems absolutely beyond understanding.' Mr Blunkett addressed all three points, saying every school would be equitably funded by need not status.

The Guardian

But an EU-wide scheme is toxic for many national governments since it would entail a system of quotas and distributing refugees and people seeking asylum more equitably between EU member states.

The Guardian

While it's true that not all the money has been distributed equitably – Short Strand, the one small Catholic enclave of east Belfast is noticeably more rundown than the rest of the constituency, with potholes in many of the roads – there is a lot more of it everywhere than there was.

The Guardian

I would, however, have  much preferred to see the RSPT go through, a tax that would have raised far more money, far more efficiently and far more equitably, than the MRRT.

The Economist

Countries that perform best on the PISA tests are ones that allocate resources more equitably between good schools and bad ones.

The Economist

Its Office of Tourism and National Parks reckons that "high-end ethical tourism" is the way to go, with profits equitably distributed across the country: every year, 5% of the income generated from state-owned national parks is handed to local communities for spending on projects of their own choice.

The Economist

Devising such a policy, and sharing the costs equitably, is a political challenge of the first order.

The Economist

Personally untarnished by the war, he paid with his own money to gather its battered veteran politicians at the Saudi city of Taif, in 1989, to hammer out a deal to disband militias and distribute power more equitably.

The Economist

At issue is net neutrality, the idea that all data on the internet should be treated equitably, regardless of content or provenance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equitably", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for fairness and how it is being applied to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "equitably" when "equally" is more appropriate. "Equitably" implies fairness based on need, while "equally" means the same for everyone. The two words are not interchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "equitably" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action is performed in a fair and just manner. It answers the question of how something is done, emphasizing impartiality and fairness, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equitably" functions as an adverb that describes actions performed fairly and justly, especially in distribution or treatment. According to Ludwig, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used in contexts such as News & Media and Encyclopedias. While synonyms like "fairly" and "justly" exist, "equitably" emphasizes fairness based on individual needs rather than strict equality. Remember that "equitably" is not interchangeable with "equally", making the specificity key to using it correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a fair manner

This alternative uses a more common and less formal phrasing to express the same concept.

justly

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing moral rightness and fairness.

impartially

This alternative stresses the absence of bias or favoritism.

fairly

A common synonym, providing a simpler and more widely understood alternative.

without bias

This phrase highlights the lack of prejudice or preference in treatment or distribution.

on equal terms

This alternative emphasizes the equality of treatment among all parties involved.

with equity

This alternative focuses on the principle of fairness in proportion to individual needs or circumstances.

in a balanced way

This alternative emphasizes a distribution that gives due consideration to all sides or aspects.

in a non-discriminatory fashion

This phrase emphasizes the absence of discrimination or unequal treatment based on specific characteristics.

by the book

This alternative conveys adherence to rules and regulations ensuring no bias

FAQs

How can I use "equitably" in a sentence?

"Equitably" is used to describe actions that are fair and just, especially in the distribution of resources or opportunities. For example, "The organization aims to distribute resources "fairly" and "equitably" among its members."

What words can I use instead of "equitably"?

Alternatives to "equitably" include "fairly", "justly", or "impartially". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "equally" and "equitably"?

"Equally" means providing the same amount or treatment to everyone, while "equitably" means distributing resources or opportunities based on individual needs or circumstances to achieve a fair outcome. Thus, "equally" prioritizes sameness, and "equitably" prioritizes justice.

Is it correct to say something is "equitably distributed"?

Yes, "equitably distributed" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It means that something has been distributed in a way that is fair and just, taking into account the different needs and circumstances of the recipients.