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

She wrote, "This is being manipulated away from what it was supposed to be and its unfair".

Read more on BBC

Ms Goddard wrote "every which way this is being manipulated away from what it was supposed to be and it's unfair".

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Unlike court appeals, pardons can consider broader factors, such as social developments, that may render a conviction or its resulting punishment inappropriate or unfair.

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"It feels quite unfair. I think the fine is extreme. It's not proportionate," she added.

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“We expect a favorable market environment to take shape as unfair trade practices diminish, policy clarity improves, and U.S. manufacturing continues to expand,” CEO Mark Millett says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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