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

Other Word Forms

• unfairly adverb
• unfairness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfair¹

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

Example Sentences

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that his country was still among the world's top oil producers, despite what he called "unfair" anti-competitive practices used against it.

Read more on Barron's

District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on five counts: trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition, false designation of origin and deceptive trade practices.

Read more on Salon

Former House of Lords Speaker Baroness D'Souza faces an eight-week suspension after complaining to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner about "unfair" speeding fines.

Read more on BBC

China's commerce ministry called the US measures "typical unilateralist and protectionist actions" that constituted "unfair competition", in another statement on Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

Dommen explained the legislation would have placed an unfair burden on restaurants and food service providers.

Read more on 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