unfair

adjective

un·​fair ˌən-ˈfer How to pronounce unfair (audio)
1
: marked by injustice, partiality, or deception : unjust
2
: not equitable in business dealings
unfairness noun

Examples of unfair in a Sentence

It's unfair for them to be allowed to leave early if we can't. It seems unfair to single her out for criticism. The company has been accused of unfair labor practices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Utility commissioners ruled in favor of power companies, which argued that older versions of the program created an unfair cost burden on customers. Calmatters, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025 Union employees at Stillwater Medical Group have reached a tentative agreement with HealthPartners, just two days after voting to authorize another unfair labor practices strike. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2025 In late June, workers at Albertsons stores in the Boise and Nampa area voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, and the union accused the company of committing multiple unfair labor practices, including threatening to fire an employee involved in the negotiations, which Albertsons denied. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2025 Tuesday’s lawsuit argued that the 2021 law is unfair to Gulfstream. Dara Kam, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfair

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfair was in 1700

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Cite this Entry

“Unfair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfair. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

unfair

adjective
un·​fair ˌən-ˈfa(ə)r How to pronounce unfair (audio)
ˈən-,
-ˈfe(ə)r
1
: not fair, honest, or just : unjust, dishonest
an unfair trial
2
: not fair in doing business
unfair to workers
unfairly adverb
unfairness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unfair

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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