unfair

[ uhn-fair ]

/ ʌnˈfɛər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unfair ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not fair; not conforming to approved standards, as of justice, honesty, or ethics: an unfair law; an unfair wage policy.

disproportionate; undue; beyond what is proper or fitting: an unfair share.

Nearby words

Origin of unfair

before 900; 1705–15 for def 1; Middle English: uncomely, ugly; Old English unfæger; cognate with Old Norse ūfagr. See un-¹, fair¹

Related formsun·fair·ly, adverbun·fair·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unfair

He lambasts the case as without evidence, an unfair trial, and damaging for the American reputation.
Of Cuban Spies, a Baby, and a Filmmaker: The Strange Tale of the Cuban Five|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it would be unfair to single out American diplomats for this ignorance.
How Havel Inspired the Velvet Revolution|Michael Zantovsky|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I think the attacks on Fareed are distorted, irresponsible, and unfair,” Weisberg emailed.
Can Fareed Zakaria Survive A Plagiarism Firestorm?|Lloyd Grove|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both men and women experience stereotypes and unfair expectations.
Laura Jane Grace’s Trans Punk Rebellion|Melissa Leon|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There are still plenty of tensions and unfair situations that arise more so for women than for men.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Why He’s Exploring the Word ‘Feminism’ and Online Misogyny|Marlow Stern|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He considered it as unfair to examine Mr. Smith in order to prove the information given by other gentlemen.
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. I (of 16)|Thomas Hart Benton
It is sometimes described as an unfair advantage taken of women because they are women.
Problems of Poverty|John A. Hobson
We protect the workmen from unfair competition, not the masters.
Put Yourself in His Place|Charles Reade
She was a woman of about forty-five; fat, unfair (in the physical sense), and untidy.
The Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories|Arnold Bennett
Howard had objected to the ordershad said that they were unfair to him, but that he was unable to help himself.
The Black Star|Johnston McCulley

British Dictionary definitions for unfair

unfair

/ (ʌnˈfɛə) /

adjective

characterized by inequality or injustice

dishonest or unethical

Derived Formsunfairly, adverbunfairness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for unfair

unfair

adj.

Old English unfægr "unlovely," from un- (1) "not" + fair. Cf. Old Norse ufagr, Gothic unfagrs. Meaning "wicked, evil, bad" is recorded from c.1300. Sense of "not equitable, unjust" is first recorded 1713. Related: Unfairly; unfairness.

unfair

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of unfair

Examples from the Web for unfair

unfair

adjective

unfair