unfair

adjective

un·​fair ˌən-ˈfer 

1

: marked by injustice, partiality, or deception : unjust

2

: not equitable in business dealings

unfairness noun

Synonyms

• dirty
• foul
• illegal
• nasty
• unsportsmanlike

Examples of unfair in a Sentence

It's unfair for them to be allowed to leave early if we can't.

It seems unfair to single her out for criticism.

The company has been accused of unfair labor practices.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other big stories ➤ Attorney General Kris Mayes argues in a suit against the feds that the IRS taxing hundreds of dollars in rebate money is unfair, unlawful and arbitrary and that those funds belong to Arizonans, not the IRS. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

Everybody’s realizing how unequal and unfair our economic moment is. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

The jury decision in Mr. Simpson’s favor was seen as a rare moment of justice for many Black Americans in an unfair nation. —Corina Knoll, New York Times, 9 June 2024

Trade frictions between the EU and China have led to a barrage of anti-dumping probes against Beijing amid allegations of unfair subsidies. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unfair

adjective

un·​fair ˌən-ˈfa(ə)r 

ˈən-,

-ˈfe(ə)r

1

: not fair, honest, or just : unjust, dishonest

an unfair trial

2

: not fair in doing business

unfair to workers

unfairly adverb

unfairness noun