FAIR Synonyms: 661 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fair' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fair are dispassionate , equitable , impartial , just , objective , and unbiased . While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests. // a fair decision

Q: When is 'dispassionate' a more appropriate choice than 'fair'?

The words dispassionate and fair can be used in similar contexts, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment. // a dispassionate summation of the facts

Q: How are the words 'equitable' and 'just' related as synonyms of 'fair'?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned. // the equitable distribution of the property

Q: Where would 'impartial' be a reasonable alternative to 'fair'?

The meanings of impartial and fair largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice. // an impartial third party

Q: When would 'just' be a good substitute for 'fair'?

The words just and fair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper. // a just settlement of territorial claims

Q: In what contexts can 'objective' take the place of 'fair'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fair , objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings. // I can't be objective about my own child

Q: When can 'unbiased' be used instead of 'fair'?

In some situations, the words unbiased and fair are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice. // your unbiased opinion

fair 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfer

Definition of fair next

as in sunny

not stormy or cloudy we prayed for fair weather during our vacation at the beach

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as in equitable

marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias a commanding officer who enjoyed the respect of his soldiers because his decisions were always fair

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as in legal

following or according to the rules a hockey player who is respected for his fair play

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as in pale

of light complexion fair people tend to sunburn easily

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as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope as long as the team keeps playing as hard as they can, they have a fair chance of winning—no matter what the scoreboard says

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as in blonde

of a pale yellow or yellowish brown color the abundance of people with fair hair in Scandinavia

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as in decent

of average to below average quality for what they charged us, the painters should have done better than a fair job of painting the house

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as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at generally considered the fairest girl in town, she had no lack of boyfriends

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as in unconditional

having no exceptions or restrictions it would take a fair miracle for that project to be finished on time

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as in deserved

being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong most thought his dismissal was fair since he had been given many chances to clean up his act

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as in pristine

free from dirt or stain a handwritten thank-you letter requires nothing less than a sheet of fair white paper

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fair

2 of 3

noun

as in exhibit

a public showing of objects of interest a dazzling array of sleek cabin cruisers at the annual boat fair

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fair

3 of 3

adverb

as in legally

according to the rules or the law we expect everyone on this basketball court to play fair

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as in almost

chiefly British very close to but not completely it fair takes your breath away when you find out what properties in London are going for

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fair are dispassionate, equitable, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When is dispassionate a more appropriate choice than fair?

The words dispassionate and fair can be used in similar contexts, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of fair?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

Where would impartial be a reasonable alternative to fair?

The meanings of impartial and fair largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

When would just be a good substitute for fair?

The words just and fair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

In what contexts can objective take the place of fair?

While in some cases nearly identical to fair, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When can unbiased be used instead of fair?

In some situations, the words unbiased and fair are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Examples of fair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The show swaps in fair Verona for a raucous underground rave, which could also double as a laser tag arena. —

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 Katie Hafner: Arthur Walpole, the ICI veteran who led the division, was known to be fair, but demanding. —

Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024

Noun

The device, which resembles the claw used to snag stuffy animals at arcades and state fairs, is designed to grab, cut, and collect samples located in vertical cliff environments. —

Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 10 Oct. 2024 Its greenhouse is open in the Midway area during the fair. —

Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024

Adverb

This year’s figure is slightly above the 277 galleries that took part in the marquee US fair last year; the 2022 edition also hosted 283 exhibitors. —

Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2024 Four galleries are making their debut at the Miami Beach fair and going straight into the main section. —

News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for fair

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Fair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 30 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of fair

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