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
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
The quality of a child’s public school education being determined by ZIP code is categorically unfair AND inefficient.
—
Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
Too often, caricatures are deployed to justify unfair and unjust treatment.
—Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Obama's tan suit moment has persisted for his supporters as an example of unfair criticism, but nearly a decade later, the suit has become an iconic piece of fashion within itself.
—Morgan Evans, USA Today, 18 June 2026
The Harris Poll defined a toxic boss as someone who exhibits harmful workplace behaviors, including unfair preferential treatment, blame-shifting, unnecessary micromanagement, taking credit for others’ ideas and acting unprofessionally.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfair
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Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
Too often, caricatures are deployed to justify unfair and unjust treatment.
—Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Obama's tan suit moment has persisted for his supporters as an example of unfair criticism, but nearly a decade later, the suit has become an iconic piece of fashion within itself.
—Morgan Evans, USA Today, 18 June 2026
The Harris Poll defined a toxic boss as someone who exhibits harmful workplace behaviors, including unfair preferential treatment, blame-shifting, unnecessary micromanagement, taking credit for others’ ideas and acting unprofessionally.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Cite this Entry
“Unfair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfair. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfair
adjective
un·fair
ˌən-ˈfa(ə)r 
ˈən-,
-ˈfe(ə)r
2
: not fair in doing business
unfair to workers
unfairly
adverb
unfairness
noun
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