having qualities which inspire hope
as long as the team keeps playing as hard as they can, they have a fair chance of winning—no matter what the scoreboard says
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
most thought his dismissal was fair since he had been given many chances to clean up his act
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
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Recent Examples of fair
Adjective
Free markets depend on buyers and sellers being able to find one another and competitors having a fair opportunity to compete.—
Tomas J. Philipson,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2026 The 6,970-yard course is challenging but fair and open enough for all handicaps, from the proper tees, to have a good time.—
Langston Wertz Jr,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2026
Noun
Representing intentional continuity, twenty-six galleries that will participate in Untitled Art, Houston in October will also be present at the Miami Beach fair.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
2 Sep. 2026 The fair closed for the summer on Sunday and will reopen next year.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
2 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Special events Each year, the state fair organizes a slate of special events, and this year is no exception.—Sacbee.com,
16 July 2026 Post-Fair, an alternative art fair held in a Santa Monica post office that was launched by gallerist Chris Sharp in 2025, will expand to Paris this October.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fair
Multiple sources told OutKick that school administrators, along with Governor Jeff Landry and President Wade Rousse were discussing the situation with LSU legal counsel throughout Thursday evening and all of Friday.
—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2026
Jordan Lyle out The Hurricanes on Thursday officially ruled out Jordan Lyle for Friday’s game against Stanford as the junior running back continues to await legal clarity following his August arrest.
The pinkish squid glided two miles beneath the surface, its long, pale legs trailing from undulating fins, stunning scientists who know remarkably little about its diet, behavior or reproduction.
—
Fedor Zarkhin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Sep. 2026
If the opening sequence seemed pale and crude, there was quickly almost too much detail.
Transplants of muscle stem cells are a promising avenue for research, having distinct advantages over other tissues in their ability to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and limitations on rapid growth.
—
Mike McRae
September 02,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2026
The goalkeeping department has probably been downgraded, considering the highly promising Trafford left, and was replaced by Geronimo Rulli, a solid backup option at 34 years of age.
Christie Brinkley is known for her megawatt smile, her voluminous blonde hair, and her not one, not two, but three consecutive Sports Illustrated covers—an unprecedented number in the magazine’s history.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
8 Sep. 2026
In the glory days of Theranos, Holmes — her big blue eyes and blond hair set to advantage in black turtleneck sweaters — had reeled in powerful backers like Larry Ellison, Rupert Murdoch, Henry Kissinger and George Shultz.
The nicest of the quartet, Springfield features a large clubhouse, a beautiful practice area with an oversized putting green and a challenging 6,906-yard course that is hilly, woody and will ask you to hit lots of precise shots.
—
Langston Wertz Jr,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2026
Forests that avoid the worst fire and drought impacts should still offer beautiful color, but the viewing window may be shorter.
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