unfair

adjective un·fair \ ˌən-ˈfer \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Examples: unfair in a Sentence

Definition of unfair

1 : marked by injustice, partiality, or deception : unjust

2 : not equitable in business dealings

—

unfairness

noun

See unfair defined for English-language learners

See unfair defined for kids

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 of unfair from the Web

To reveal any more would be unfair, but prepare to be surprised by joy, at the outset, and to wind up baffled and sad.

— anthony lane, The New Yorker, "“Leave No Trace” and “Three Identical Strangers”," 21 June 2018
Majority groups that have been unfairly advantaged for too long see any even minute reduction in that unfair advantage as an all-out attack.

— david yang and nimit maru, Recode, "We need more women in tech in order to get more women in tech," 21 June 2018
De León’s bill originally made net neutrality violations subject to enforcement under California’s consumer-protection and unfair-business-practices laws.

— peter fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "2 state senators join forces on bills requiring equal internet access in California," 18 June 2018
These interactions could have conferred an unfair advantage to Mukamal and his colleagues in a competitive grant process, according to the report.

— sara reardon, Scientific American, "Controversial Alcohol Study Cancelled by U.S. Health Agency," 18 June 2018
President Donald Trump reacted to the news on Twitter, incorrectly saying that Manafort had been sentenced, and implying the entire process was unfair, given Manafort’s past political experience.

— alana abramson, Time, "Former Trump Campaign Head Paul Manafort Is Going to Jail While Awaiting Trial," 15 June 2018
Callously promoting students in this manner is unfair to the child and puts them at further risk.

— emily k. coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Waukegan District 60 approves new retention policy around when students should get held back," 15 June 2018
In some ways, comparing battlefield surgery to what the Inca were doing is unfair.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Inca Skull Surgeons Had Better Success Rates Than American Civil War Doctors," 14 June 2018
The Fake News Media has been so unfair, and vicious, to my wife and our great First Lady, Melania,’’ Trump tweeted Wednesday morning.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Melania Trump appears before cameras for the first time in nearly a month," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unfair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unfair

1700

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

unfair Synonyms

Phrases

below the belt;

UNFAIR Defined for English Language Learners

unfair

adjective

Definition of unfair for English Language Learners

: treating people in a way that favors some over others : not fair, honest, or just

UNFAIR Defined for Kids

unfair

adjective un·fair \ ˌən-ˈfer \

Definition of unfair for Students

: not fair, honest, or just

an unfair trial

—

unfairly

adverb

We were treated unfairly.

—

unfairness

noun

Learn More about unfair

See words that rhyme with unfair Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unfair Spanish Central: Translation of unfair Nglish: Translation of unfair for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unfair for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up unfair? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

unfair

Definition of unfair

unfairness

Examples of unfair in a Sentence

Recent Examples of unfair from the Web

First Known Use of unfair

unfair Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

UNFAIR Defined for English Language Learners

unfair

Definition of unfair for English Language Learners

UNFAIR Defined for Kids

unfair

Definition of unfair for Students

unfairly

unfairness

Learn More about unfair

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

5 Words for Clumsy People

'Flight': A Great Way To Try New Things

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

Trending: Ocasio-Cortez Sparks 'Socialism' Lookups

Ghost Word