fairness

noun

fair·​ness ˈfer-nəs 

: the quality or state of being fair

especially : fair or impartial treatment : lack of favoritism toward one side or another

This is the real Ponzi scheme that does injury to the American promise of fairness …

—Jesse Jackson

The rules reflect the principles of procedural due process and fundamental fairness prescribed by the Constitution …

—James O. Freedman

… partisan gerrymandering has got so out of hand that it was up to the courts to restore a measure of fairness.

—Jeffrey Toobin

We are living in the harsh world invented by a handful of corporate raiders whose values are completely foreign to the fairness and moderation that had so long served as the proper foundation of American success and the American dream.

—Doris Haddock

He did poorly, but in (all) fairness [=to be fair to him], he was tired.

Synonyms

• aesthetics
• esthetics
• attractiveness
• beauteousness
• beautifulness
• beauty
• comeliness
• cuteness
• gorgeousness
• handsomeness
• looks
• loveliness
• prettiness
• sightliness

Examples of fairness in a Sentence

a city of incomparable fairness, Venice has enchanted travelers for centuries

fairness was certainly uppermost in the elderly woman's mind as she made arrangements for dividing the family heirlooms among her many grandchildren

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond questions of fairness, Blanchett believes that there are commercial and creative reasons for shaking up the types of moviemakers who are getting their films greenlit in Hollywood. —Brent Lang, Variety, 20 May 2024

My beloved brother always believed in fairness, and to me my mother’s favoritism is unacceptable. —Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 19 May 2024

But fairness and equity and good government questions cling to the compensation question. —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 11 May 2024

There should always be a process and clear evaluation criteria in place to ensure fairness. —Eoin Driver, Fortune, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fairness

• fairness doctrine
• in (all) fairness