unfair

/ˌˈʌnˌfɛər/

/ənˈfɛə/

Other forms: unfairest; unfairer

If something's unfair, it's not just or equitable. If your brother carelessly broke your mother's favorite vase, it would be unfair for her to punish both of you.

We all know that when things are fair, they're unbiased or they follow the rules. Unfair is the exact opposite, so an unfair ruling in court isn't based on principles of justice, and an unfair grade on your book report might be due to your English teacher's bias against graphic novels. The original meaning of this adjective was "not lovely" or "hideous," from the "beautiful" definition of fair.

Definitions of unfair

1. adjective

   not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
   “used unfair methods”

   “it was an unfair trial”

   “took an unfair advantage”

   synonyms: unjust

   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

   unjust

   violating principles of justice

   partial

   showing favoritism

   antonyms:

   fair

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

   antimonopoly, antitrust

   of laws and regulations; designed to protect trade and commerce from unfair business practices

   clean, sporting, sportsmanlike, sporty

   exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play

   fair-minded

   of a person; just and impartial; not prejudiced

   fair-and-square

   just and honest

   just

   used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting

   impartial

   showing lack of favoritism

   reasonable, sensible

   showing reason or sound judgment