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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unfair
Even a free or gifted cup of coffee could draw critique, if it could be traced to an unfair contract advantage or government employee’s favor.
—
Glen Casel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
As the political scientists Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way have argued in Foreign Affairs, the United States is sliding into competitive authoritarianism—a system in which elections, however unfair, still take place and dissent, however throttled, still exists.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
The rule targets unfair practices like recurring charges for unwanted services, demanding that companies provide easy cancellation options, clear trial-ending notifications and explicit consent before billing.
—Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Regardless of whether raising the retirement age is chosen as the path to helping Social Security toward longstanding solvency, a later FRA could see different types of workers face potentially unfair disparities.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Glen Casel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
As the political scientists Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way have argued in Foreign Affairs, the United States is sliding into competitive authoritarianism—a system in which elections, however unfair, still take place and dissent, however throttled, still exists.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
The rule targets unfair practices like recurring charges for unwanted services, demanding that companies provide easy cancellation options, clear trial-ending notifications and explicit consent before billing.
—Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Regardless of whether raising the retirement age is chosen as the path to helping Social Security toward longstanding solvency, a later FRA could see different types of workers face potentially unfair disparities.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfair
Adjective
-
Astros rookie Jacob Melton with a WILD catch in foul territory 😱 (via @astros)pic.twitter.com/KqrqRlDECr — B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 7, 2025 Otherwise, Melton was off to somewhat slow start to his career prior to the ankle injury.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
For Lynn, playing in the minors meant bad lighting and a short foul pole in right at the late McCoy Stadium that cost him home runs.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
-
Perhaps not helping so much: The set’s early reviews, which have been mostly fairly nasty in their dismissals of the set.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
25 June 2025
-
Again there are two levels here, and each radically altered the color profile of the onscreen visuals – with the high setting giving everything a nasty green hue.—
Paul Ridden
June 25,
New Atlas,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfair. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share