unfair

[ uhn-fair ]

adjective

1. not fair; not conforming to approved standards, as of justice, honesty, or ethics:

   an unfair law;

   an unfair wage policy.

2. disproportionate; undue; beyond what is proper or fitting:

   an unfair share.

unfair

/ ʌnˈfɛə /

adjective

1. characterized by inequality or injustice
2. dishonest or unethical

Derived Forms

• unˈfairly, adverb
• unˈfairness, noun

Other Words From

• un·fairly adverb
• un·fairness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfair¹

First recorded before 900; 1705–15 unfair fordef 1; Middle English: “uncomely, ugly”; Old English unfæger; cognate with Old Norse ūfagr; un- ¹ + fair ¹

Example Sentences

The ruling is the result of an investigation which the Commission opened in 2021, after Meta's rivals complained that Facebook Marketplace gave it an unfair advantage.

From BBC

But while being handsome and totally unqualified got Hegseth the job, it's unfair to say those are the only things he brings to the table.

From Salon

He argued it was "fundamentally unfair" for a block of clerics to "have a right and a say over our legislation".

From BBC

The complaint is the NLRB’s first step in litigating the case after investigating an unfair labor practice claim submitted by employees and finding merit to the allegations.

From Los Angeles Times

Betty represents tangible reality while Norma embodies seductive illusion in a musical that dramatizes the unfair fight between them for Joe’s jaded soul.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbitrary
• biased
• cruel
• discriminatory
• dishonest
• illegal
• immoral
• improper
• inequitable
• inexcusable
• one-sided
• partisan
• shameful
• unethical
• unjust
• unjustifiable
• unlawful
• unreasonable
• unwarranted
• wrong