fairness

noun

fair·​ness ˈfer-nəs 

: the quality or state of being fair

especially : fair or impartial treatment : lack of favoritism toward one side or another

This is the real Ponzi scheme that does injury to the American promise of fairness …

—Jesse Jackson

The rules reflect the principles of procedural due process and fundamental fairness prescribed by the Constitution …

—James O. Freedman

… partisan gerrymandering has got so out of hand that it was up to the courts to restore a measure of fairness.

—Jeffrey Toobin

We are living in the harsh world invented by a handful of corporate raiders whose values are completely foreign to the fairness and moderation that had so long served as the proper foundation of American success and the American dream.

—Doris Haddock

He did poorly, but in (all) fairness [=to be fair to him], he was tired.

Synonyms

• aesthetics
• esthetics
• attractiveness
• beauteousness
• beautifulness
• beauty
• comeliness
• cuteness
• gorgeousness
• handsomeness
• looks
• loveliness
• prettiness
• sightliness

Examples of fairness in a Sentence

a city of incomparable fairness, Venice has enchanted travelers for centuries

fairness was certainly uppermost in the elderly woman's mind as she made arrangements for dividing the family heirlooms among her many grandchildren

Recent Examples on the Web

My research suggests that for DEI initiatives to succeed, respect and fairness must be present. —Andrea Carter, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024

That could create a top marginal rate of 44.6 percent (close to half of every marginal dollar, an affront to fairness), and, again, that’s before state taxes. —The Editors, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024

In fairness, Jackson does allow someone who has already been sued by a bounty hunter to argue in that lawsuit that SB 8 is unconstitutional and that the suit should be shut down. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Aug. 2024

Freedom and fairness All of this combined to make Walz someone who makes no apologies for the government’s ability to level the playing field for the average American and those down on their luck. —Patricia Lopez, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fairness

• fairness doctrine
• in (all) fairness