fairness

noun

fair·​ness ˈfer-nəs 

: the quality or state of being fair

especially : fair or impartial treatment : lack of favoritism toward one side or another

This is the real Ponzi scheme that does injury to the American promise of fairness …

—Jesse Jackson

The rules reflect the principles of procedural due process and fundamental fairness prescribed by the Constitution …

—James O. Freedman

… partisan gerrymandering has got so out of hand that it was up to the courts to restore a measure of fairness.

—Jeffrey Toobin

We are living in the harsh world invented by a handful of corporate raiders whose values are completely foreign to the fairness and moderation that had so long served as the proper foundation of American success and the American dream.

—Doris Haddock

He did poorly, but in (all) fairness [=to be fair to him], he was tired.

Synonyms of fairness

• beauty
• beautifulness
• attractiveness
• aesthetics
• elegance

Examples of fairness in a Sentence

a city of incomparable fairness, Venice has enchanted travelers for centuries

fairness was certainly uppermost in the elderly woman's mind as she made arrangements for dividing the family heirlooms among her many grandchildren

Recent Examples on the Web

Florida's increasing use of the death penalty remains a contentious issue, with debates persisting over the fairness of legal processes, the reliability of forensic evidence, and the moral questions surrounding capital punishment. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Sunday, against odds, logic and fairness reigned, head-to-head mattered, and the Hurricanes are now three wins from playing for the national championship in their home stadium. —Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025

This would seem to be an important step at this stage, to ensure the fairness and unimpeachability of the transaction process and to maximize the value of whatever outcome WBD determines to pursue. —Julia Boorstin,lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman,david Faber, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

Her boutique agency bridges talented singing pianists with opportunities on cruise ships and in venues abroad, while setting a higher ethical standard in artist representation—one based on care, fairness, and true advocacy. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fairness

• fairness doctrine

Rhymes for fairness

• bareness
• squareness
• awareness
• unfairness
• unawareness