unfair

adjective

un·​fair ˌən-ˈfer 

1

a

: marked by injustice, partiality, or deception : unjust

an unfair trial

taking unfair advantage

You're being a little unfair to single them out.

b

: not representative

cited an unfair example

c

: disproportionate

got an unfair share

2

: not equitable in business dealings

unfair competition

unfair labor practices

unfairness noun

Synonyms of unfair

• foul
• illegal
• nasty

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

On March 24, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a proposal by Chair Terra Lawson-Remer to create the Consumer Fairness and Public Protection Unit, charged with fighting scams and unfair business practices. —Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Dan Sachs, vice president of state and local policy at Meta, wrote in the letter that the legislation is unfair. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026

This may sound wildly unfair, but there’s some good news. —Julia Daye, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026

The jibes will likely keep coming even though the critiques are unfair and far from the truth, said RUSI's Rowlands, who was a captain in the Royal Navy. —ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for unfair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

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