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

But the strategic cocktail of soft nationalism, corporate politics and ticket-sales boosterism that constitutes the wild card system more often overshadows sporting fairness. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Partners who deal fairly with Schulz Logistics get fairness back, even at a cost. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Democrats, in turn, tended to say equality and fairness and public services. — Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Although there are fairness questions in using an eligibility rule negotiated by a league and union to exclude a prospective player who, because of the rule, can’t be a union member, labor law permits it. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026

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