1
a
: marked by injustice, partiality, or deception : unjust
an unfair trial
taking unfair advantage
You're being a little unfair to single them out.
b
: not representative
cited an unfair example
c
: disproportionate
got an unfair share
2
: not equitable in business dealings
unfair competition
unfair labor practices
unfairness
noun
Examples of unfair in a Sentence
It's unfair for them to be allowed to leave early if we can't.
It seems unfair to single her out for criticism.
The company has been accused of unfair labor practices.
Recent Examples on the Web
The settlement also calls for Mercedes to comply with reporting requirements and refrain from any further unfair or deceptive marketing or sale of diesel vehicles.
—
CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Navarro hadn’t even held a consistent view about the economic risks of imposing tariffs on another country’s goods in response to unfair trade practices.
—Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Development industry representatives declined to comment on the bill, but said their industry has been an unfair target of local regulations.
—Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
The bride-to-be emphasized that the couple did not plan to have children together, which made the expectation feel even more unfair.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Navarro hadn’t even held a consistent view about the economic risks of imposing tariffs on another country’s goods in response to unfair trade practices.
—Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Development industry representatives declined to comment on the bill, but said their industry has been an unfair target of local regulations.
—Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
The bride-to-be emphasized that the couple did not plan to have children together, which made the expectation feel even more unfair.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfair
Cite this Entry
“Unfair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfair. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfair
adjective
un·fair
ˌən-ˈfa(ə)r 
ˈən-,
-ˈfe(ə)r
2
: not fair in doing business
unfair to workers
unfairly
adverb
unfairness
noun
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