Synonyms of unfair

unfair 1 of 2

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

unfairness

2 of 2

noun

1

as in injustice

the state of being unfair or unjust

the transparent unfairness of the referee's decision made her furious

Synonyms & Similar Words

• injustice
• inequity
• unjustness
• foulness
• dirtiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• justice
• equity
• fairness

2

as in wrong

unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this

it would be no unfairness to the article's second author to characterize his contributions as minimal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• injustice
• wrong
• injury
• inequity
• insult
• unjustness
• disservice
• shaft
• raw deal
• indignity
• affront
• outrage
• offense
• slight
• grievance
• slur
• complaint
• beef
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fairness
• justice
• equity
• equitableness
• cricket

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfair

Adjective

Before the ban, transgender girls in West Virginia could compete on female teams unless the state athletic body determined theirparticipation was unsafe or unfair to other athletes. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026

To evaluate claims of unfair advantages, strangers may request hormone or genetic testing to look for common biological variations that cisgender children and their parents may not even be aware of. — Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

Noun

Yet as the focus remains on federal politics, our state legislative maps and the unfairness of them cannot be a mere afterthought. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Given the more complete picture of taxation relative to income that is presented above, how should fairness and unfairness be regarded? — Charles F. Miller, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026