Synonyms of unfair

unfair

adjective

ˌən-ˈfer 

as in foul

not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport

a team that is notorious throughout the league for its record of unfair play

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foul
• illegal
• nasty
• dirty
• unsportsmanlike
• shameful
• low
• unjust
• dishonorable
• below the belt
• shabby
• unethical
• immoral
• mean
• ignoble
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• ungentlemanly
• unrighteous
• rotten
• unchivalrous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fair
• legal
• clean
• just
• moral
• ethical
• sportsmanlike
• sportsmanly
• righteous
• scrupulous
• principled
• honorable
• law-abiding
• unimpeachable
• irreproachable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfair

Human rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of denying defendants due process, relying on coerced confessions and carrying out executions after unfair trials. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

The European Union, a key market for Shein, also imposed a €3 fee on low-value e-commerce imports this month to curb what the bloc calls unfair competition from China. — James Powel, USA Today, 27 July 2026

The administration says those countries are being unfair in their manufacturing - for example, by overproducing. — Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 24 July 2026

Cacioppo’s criminal history could undercut a central element of Hanaway’s claims about unfair contracting, which Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas called politically motivated. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026