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

Swift also reflected on making peace with criticism, fair and unfair, from both bots and real people. —P. Claire Dodson, Vogue, 12 June 2026

The pressure will be completely suffocating and unfair. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 June 2026

The businesses argue that this amounted to a coordinated effort to have the city government illegally require and enforce an unfair private contract between the businesses and the Westport CID. —Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Marlowe earned the right — even in an increasingly unfair business — to exit on his terms. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 June 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