Synonyms of unfair

unfair

adjective

ˌən-ˈfer 

as in foul

not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport

a team that is notorious throughout the league for its record of unfair play

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foul
• illegal
• nasty
• dirty
• unsportsmanlike
• shameful
• low
• unjust
• dishonorable
• below the belt
• shabby
• unethical
• immoral
• mean
• ignoble
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• ungentlemanly
• unrighteous
• rotten
• unchivalrous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fair
• legal
• clean
• just
• moral
• ethical
• sportsmanlike
• sportsmanly
• righteous
• scrupulous
• principled
• honorable
• law-abiding
• unimpeachable
• irreproachable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfair

Before the ban, transgender girls in West Virginia could compete on female teams unless the state athletic body determined theirparticipation was unsafe or unfair to other athletes. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026

To evaluate claims of unfair advantages, strangers may request hormone or genetic testing to look for common biological variations that cisgender children and their parents may not even be aware of. — Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

Behind the scenes, fatigue or resentment can reveal where work has become unfair or is unevenly distributed. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Congress should start today to work on ending expensive and unfair to our country, birthright citizenship. — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 30 June 2026