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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
Independent productions, creative freedom and fair access to audiences. Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026 By the end of the fair, Kelly was already thinking about the next one. Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
In February, the grocer held a fair for 600 full- and part-time positions for the third H-E-B in Tarrant County that is expected to open this summer in the Mid-Cities area, at the corner of Cheek-Sparger Road and Rio Grande Boulevard. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026 Spring is here and communities are putting on street fairs and festivals in the coming weeks celebrating everything from avocados to strawberries. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Or does fair have zero to do with this? Zach Harper, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026 At Art Basel’s first Middle East edition in Doha, the usual choreography of an art fair felt strangely absent. Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fair
Adjective
  • Other contributing factors to Dubai’s recent success – no income taxes, stable governments, sunny beaches – remain intact.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The breezy acoustic guitars and sneaky pedal steel almost make her intention to change sounds easy, a rewarding tension underneath such a sunny song.
    Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • An airport offers, if not exactly an equitable experience (there are Clear lines, lounge archipelagos), then at least a perceptible simulacrum of equality, in that everyone rides the same people movers past the same Cinnabons.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The type of hospital services that states will assess matters, said Tony Shih, a senior adviser at the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit focused on making health care more equitable.
    Aaron Bolton, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Part of what contributes to the slim odds is the fact that Morris is seeking to move the process forward using Christian arbitration, while Gateway wants to use a standard legal approach, Morris’ attorney Bill Mateja told the Star-Telegram last July.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Hours and hours of rolling green hills and rice paddies passed by the windows, the pale pools amid the shoots flashing bits of sky.
    Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Many of the biblical references, including the rider of the pale horse, come from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, which is ostensibly about the second coming of Christ and judgment day.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The nightmarish sequence spoiled a night that began with the Angels showing more promising signs at the plate.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Researchers have also observed promising improvements in metabolic markers and better preservation of lean muscle mass, says Burns.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The most disturbing figure is a blond mannequin who seems to be hanging herself with a mirror instead of a noose.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Hillyard is described as 5-foot-4 and about 120 pounds with blonde hair.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But there were a few decent ones.
    Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
  • That’s because this winter brought decent rain and the three years prior were wet, too.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Inn stays shut during winter and ‘pack ice’ season, which some locals will tell you is the most beautiful time of all—for snowmobiling and snowshoeing through the Island’s interior by day, and come evening, getting invited into someone's warm shed for a tipple and a chat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • So much of what Diaspora is doing is making sure that the farmers’ spices are getting to you in a beautiful, fresh state.
    Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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