Library / English Dictionary

UNFAIR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception

Example:

took an unfair advantage

Synonyms:

unfair; unjust

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

below the belt (disregarding the rules (from the notion of an illegal low blow in boxing))

cheating; dirty; foul; unsporting; unsportsmanlike (violating accepted standards or rules)

raw (brutally unfair or harsh)

Also:

unjust (violating principles of justice)

partial (showing favoritism)

Attribute:

equity; fairness (conformity with rules or standards)

Antonym:

fair (free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules)

Derivation:

unfairness (an unjust act)

unfairness (injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standards)

unfairness (partiality that is not fair or equitable)

Credits

 Context examples: 

It is very unfair to judge of any body's conduct, without an intimate knowledge of their situation.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Her presence had seemed a blessing to them, but it would be unfair to her to keep her in poverty and want when Providence afforded her such powerful protection.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

“I am indeed pleased to hear that you did not intend to profit by your unfair advantage,” said Soames.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Considering that the price of dogs had been boomed skyward by the unwonted demand, it was not an unfair sum for so fine an animal.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

This person may be unfair or exerting too much of a scorched-earth method of negotiation (This person may say, “It’s my way or the highway.”)

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

"Now that's unfair," Ruth cried.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Now Emma was obliged to think of the pianoforte; and the remembrance of all her former fanciful and unfair conjectures was so little pleasing, that she soon allowed herself to believe her visit had been long enough; and, with a repetition of every thing that she could venture to say of the good wishes which she really felt, took leave.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Miss Hawkins was the youngest of the two daughters of a Bristol—merchant, of course, he must be called; but, as the whole of the profits of his mercantile life appeared so very moderate, it was not unfair to guess the dignity of his line of trade had been very moderate also.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)