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

Some also called for a reform of the university admissions system, seen by many as complex and unfair. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026

Trump has imposed new tariffs on Brazilian goods this year, including a 25% levy on some products over what the US described as unfair trade practices. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

But Turner’s claim treats the continued existence of unfairness as proof that legal equality does not exist. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026

For me, the closest cinema has come capturing that randomness and unfairness is Jane Campion’s beautiful and meditative Bright Star, which tells the love story of Romantic poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne and of Keats’ death at 25 of tuberculosis. — Sarah Chihaya, Vulture, 16 July 2026