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
Davis said approximately 4,000 people registered for the fair, which speaks to the state of the job market.—
Bri Buckley,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2026 At a special fair contest, Iowa pie bakers gave the Pie Lady Louise Piper a fitting farewell.—
Courtney Crowder,
Des Moines Register,
28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Other highlights include the 50th anniversary of Anacostia Park’s beloved roller skating pavilion; fairs dedicated to works by female artists; and international festivals with food, music and dancing.—
Mark Jenkins,
Washington Post,
27 Aug. 2026 Other finalists will also have their likeness turned into a butter sculpture throughout the fair.—
Wcco Staff,
CBS News,
27 Aug. 2026
Adverb
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 When the long-running contemporary art fair Artissima opens its 33rd edition in late October, 180 galleries from 35 countries will welcome visitors to the Oval, a vast former Olympic speed skating facility that has hosted the fair since 2010.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fair
Reinstating a military draft would ensure a more equitable distribution of national defense responsibilities.
—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Washington Post,
31 Aug. 2026
While pay-transparency laws and talent shortages can create more equitable gains for employees, the reality is that wealth gains remain modest at the bottom and substantial at the top.
The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.
—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2026
Below, experts provide legal advice on how to handle this situation and keep things as smooth as possible, along with simple yard cleaning tips to help keep your landscape tidy.
But our frustrations and inconvenience pale in comparison to the sadness of those who knew the deceased or to the trauma the drivers involved experienced.
—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
30 Aug. 2026
Iconic yachting brand Riva was the inspiration behind the redesign, according to Christie, seen in the use of dark wood, pale leather and marble that gives the lounge a distinctly Italian feel.
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.
When model Tricia Helfer came in for a touch-up before an introductory visit to her boyfriend’s parents, Johns toned down her bright blonde chunks to play up her naturally innocent looks.
—
Vanessa Friedman,
Vogue,
1 Sep. 2026
And while shades like honeysuckle blonde, chocolate brown, and golden cherry are taking over, fall doesn’t have to mean committing to a single shade.
Jeremy Jacquet looks like a decent replacement for Ibrahima Konate and getting Ronald Araujo on loan provides extra cover given the defensive injuries.
—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2026
Cease has been decent against Guardians hitters, holding them to 26 hits in 105 at-bats, but only nine of them have been for extra bases.
Arguably, the most beautiful version of this trend right now is the love-layers cut.
—
Lucy Binder,
Glamour,
30 Aug. 2026
The meltwater pouring off Bråsvellbreen like waterfalls, though breathtakingly beautiful, was another sobering reminder of the consequences of global warming.
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