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Definition of fairnext
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as in pale
of light complexion fair people tend to sunburn easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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fair

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noun

as in exhibit
a public showing of objects of interest a dazzling array of sleek cabin cruisers at the annual boat fair

Synonyms & Similar Words

fair

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fair are dispassionate, equitable, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When is dispassionate a more appropriate choice than fair?

The words dispassionate and fair can be used in similar contexts, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of fair?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

Where would impartial be a reasonable alternative to fair?

The meanings of impartial and fair largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

When would just be a good substitute for fair?

The words just and fair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

In what contexts can objective take the place of fair?

While in some cases nearly identical to fair, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When can unbiased be used instead of fair?

In some situations, the words unbiased and fair are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

How does the adjective fair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fair are dispassionate, equitable, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When is dispassionate a more appropriate choice than fair?

The words dispassionate and fair can be used in similar contexts, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of fair?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

Where would impartial be a reasonable alternative to fair?

The meanings of impartial and fair largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

When would just be a good substitute for fair?

The words just and fair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

In what contexts can objective take the place of fair?

While in some cases nearly identical to fair, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When can unbiased be used instead of fair?

In some situations, the words unbiased and fair are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

How does the adjective fair contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fair are dispassionate, equitable, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When is dispassionate a more appropriate choice than fair?

The words dispassionate and fair can be used in similar contexts, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of fair?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

Where would impartial be a reasonable alternative to fair?

The meanings of impartial and fair largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

When would just be a good substitute for fair?

The words just and fair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

In what contexts can objective take the place of fair?

While in some cases nearly identical to fair, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When can unbiased be used instead of fair?

In some situations, the words unbiased and fair are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fair
Adjective
Both were rushed to University of Chicago Medical Center, the boy in critical condition and the girl in fair condition. Lauren Victory, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 And that the company violated a handful of states’ individual antitrust or fair business practices laws. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Les Poupees took to the road and played the world’s fairs in Seattle in 1962, New York in 1964 and San Antonio in 1968. Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026 The website also lists dates and locations of upcoming special passport acceptance fairs, where appointments may not be required. Eve Chen, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The boutique alternative art fair founded last year by gallerist Chris Sharp is returning to its open-format venue in Santa Monica — a historic 1930s Art Deco post office (hence the name). Evan Nicole Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026 Or does fair have zero to do with this? Zach Harper, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fair
Adjective
  • Featuring the show’s slogan over a sunny pop of color, this sturdy ceramic mug holds a generous 15 ounces of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and is your Immunity Idol against a dull routine.
    Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Hotel Cape Charles makes sunny days out on the sand a breeze.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The organization, which is also partnered with The Fear of 13, endeavors to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Surprisingly, firing a slew of hard-working people in order to flatter the bottom line didn’t make for a happier workplace — or for more equitable business practices (a trio of strikes popped off in February of 2025, two of which lasted for 58 days).
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Urban Prep, meanwhile, is embroiled in a legal battle with CPS to keep its two high schools open in Bronzeville and Englewood amid mounting financial woes.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
  • But payouts won't be automatic, and legal experts said businesses could face other obstacles getting their money back.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Once on the festival grounds, Kylie wore a ruffled, open front white Ann Demeulemeester top, paired with Levi’s 94 baggy jeans in a pale blue wash, Staud Freja leather thong sandals, a Chrome Hearts white gold belly chain, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Blank Street’s roots trace back to 2020, when co-founders Freiha and Vinay Menda began selling coffee out of a pale-green coffee cart in the Williamsburg neighborhood of New York City.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Among them, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are gaining traction as a promising post-Moore pathway, offering atomically thin structures that could enable continued transistor scaling while improving energy efficiency and performance.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Learning to spend significant amounts of money proactively to unlock future growth was one of the essential mindset shifts in taking Scandit from a promising deep tech startup to a global company.
    Samuel Mueller, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Some said the commercial, with a conventionally attractive, white, thin, blonde woman with blue eyes at its center, was upholding Sweeney as the beauty standard.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Amy Hillyard is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs about 120 pounds and has blonde hair, with hazel eyes.
    Jose Fabian, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Johnson, who’s a restricted free agent, has a decent chance to be asked back on a low-money deal.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The league’s celebrated new CBA made all these players rich, but did little for the Sparks, who were unable to make a dent in the league-wide free agent market and were out of decent draft picks and so must survive for one more season before getting a shot at JuJu Watkins.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The home run was a beautiful swing down in the zone.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Expect glitzy bars and eateries, often with tray ceilings that light up in beautiful hues at nightfall.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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