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fair

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

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

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
Sunday, May 25, from 12 to 8 p.m. at Phelps Field Park, 701 E. 39th St., Minneapolis, the organization hosts the Justice for George main event, which features live performances, muralists, a vendor fair and other opportunities for community connection. Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025 This is a fair question, since treating hair loss is notoriously difficult. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 23 May 2025
Noun
See art and architecture at Palmer Park Each year, an art fair takes place in the heart of Detroit in Palmer Park. AFAR Media, 16 May 2025 The 24-year-old performed at an annual fair in Aguascalientes state this month just days after the local authorities warned musicians not to play narco songs. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Adverb
And great news, the state fair shattered all previous attendance records! David Plazas, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 Jobs time Hiring signage displayed at a job and resource fair hosted by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board in partnership with NCWorks in Hendersonville, North Carolina, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. Michele Luhn, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fair
Adjective
  • Some of the criteria are beach material (fine sand ranks highest), air and water temperature, number of sunny days, wildlife, litter and development.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2025
  • What has stood out in April and May is persistence: The jet stream has remained wavy, bringing with it the normal ebb and flow of stormy low-pressure weather systems mixed with sunny high-pressure systems.
    Daniel Chavas, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • The result is a more agile, inclusive and resilient workforce where employees have equitable access to growth.
    Abakar Saidov, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • These days — at least on Friday nights — the space offers musicians an equitable spotlight.
    Erick Galindo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • But employers already have a wide array of other legal tools to safeguard sensitive data, and noncompete agreements add very little to these protections.
    Sam Peak, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • All three branches of state government agreed on the same candidates — drawing criticism from local residents and legal experts who say this will be a simulation of an election, not a real one.
    James Wagner, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • The blue, silver, and lavender sparkly dress featured a corseted waist and sweetheart neckline—a silhouette and style straight from the Lauren Sánchez school of style—and delicate silver stilettos that flashed her pale pink pedicure.
    Vogue, Vogue, 23 May 2025
  • And then, to drive the dagger into Michaela even more, Simone walks down the stairs in a stunning pale blue dress that Michaela had made for her.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • New studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, in the last few days offer promising findings for both pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions, including the impact of diet and exercise.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • But the Tar Heel state has a decent amount of talent this year, and UNC does not appear to be in position to take advantage of it.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • Reading these reports alongs with your own research can give you a decent idea of which cruise ships are doing the most to reduce their impact.
    Lea Lane, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their beautiful bi-level home is hidden on a backstreet in Palermo.
    Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • In the back of The Testaments is a beautiful dedication to me and some of the cast members.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Both Merz and Zelensky criticized the Kremlin’s effective rejection of an unconditional ceasefire proposed by the U.S., which Kyiv accepted.
    Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, proposed by the U.S., but Putin rejected it.
    Jackie Northam, NPR, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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