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
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Recent Examples of unfair
The image and the rhetoric are not only unfair but untrue, said Marlene.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
What’s the most unfair thing about American elections?
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
This matters because these institutions will increasingly determine the continent’s economic development, and because a reliance on these lenders only gives credence to the idea that an unfair risk premium is placed on those trying to raise capital for projects in Africa.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Public claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate, and allegations of unfair labor practices are without merit.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
What’s the most unfair thing about American elections?
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
This matters because these institutions will increasingly determine the continent’s economic development, and because a reliance on these lenders only gives credence to the idea that an unfair risk premium is placed on those trying to raise capital for projects in Africa.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Public claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate, and allegations of unfair labor practices are without merit.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfair
Adjective
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Early Friday morning, the president of the United States shared on his social media account a foul video that portrayed former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes and himself as a lion.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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These toxic elements sat in the channel’s then-stagnant water, which led to a die-off of all vegetation and the emission of foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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Despite defeat, and a nasty fall, Anne would return to England at the end of the Games, paying homage to her country and the spirit of the British team by choosing to wear their uniform, a light blue suit with white hat, during the trip.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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On Friday, stocks surged after a nasty bout of selling this past week, when software stocks, bitcoin and other risk-on favorites led the market lower.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfair. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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