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

These American negotiators do not get much attention in the film; likewise, the Soviets, starting with Gorbachev himself, get unfair treatment in The Brink of War. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

This is very unfair, and not just to our golf-loving president, whose airline food cart of choice is never going to fit into the delicate flying machines. — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

More recently, former 5 News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije sued ITN over allegations of sexism, racial harassment, unfair dismissal, and suffering a detriment due to exercising her whistleblowing rights. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

The trade struck many fans as further evidence that baseball has become, in a word, unfair – a case of the rich get richer. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026