UNFAIRLY Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

unfairly

adverb

Definition of unfairly

as in cruelly

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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 unfairly Cornyn and Tillis had refused to back Blanche’s bid for the permanent post without official confirmation killing the fund meant to compensate people who believe they were unfairly prosecuted by the Justice Department. — Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Without that kind of money, Proposition 36 backers argue that the governor and the Legislature are unfairly crippling the new laws. — Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 In a separate lawsuit filed July 27, xAI challenged Minnesota’s ban on apps and websites used to digitally undress people, arguing that the law is overly broad and unfairly penalizes companies. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 Clancy's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, had previously asked the judge to limit the number of first responders to eliminate the risk of unfairly prejudicial repetitive testimony to his client. — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfairly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfairly

Adverb

Rubio did not finish the stage — his Tour cruelly over, just two days before Paris.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 2026
The practice was criticized by advocates and others as cruelly targeting rule followers as low-hanging fruit to meet quotas.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026

Definition of cruelly

Adverb

Enzo Fernandez, who already was booked for a first-half yellow card, viciously tackled Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Yet somehow, two decades later, the viciously antisemitic Vichy regime planted itself in power; a shocking betrayal by France of some of its most loyal and generous supporters, in a dehumanizing toxic swamp of suspicion, judgment, envy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of viciously

Adverb

Victim Nyron Shaw’s father said the driver who mowed his son down last year in Ocean Hill a day before Independence Day should face the maximum penalty for allegedly driving twice the speed limit and heartlessly taking off, leaving his son to die.

— Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
In the process, Joel heartlessly killed some innocent people, including medical professionals.

— EW.com, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Definition of heartlessly

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unfair

unfairly

unfairness

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“Unfairly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfairly. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfairly

adverb

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