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
Marie and 43 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners contracted to work in the emergency department at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit plan to take to the picket lines, alleging unfair labor practices.
—
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
First, the courts ask whether the unfair labor practice case is likely to succeed on the merits in establishing that labor violations occurred.
—Michael Z. Green, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
Read Next Business Governor called legislation to stop sale of ITD’s Boise campus unfair.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2024
But the judge disagreed, saying the company engaged in unfair labor practices in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
—Bruce Schreiner, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
And occasionally, [these theories] end up addressing things that are a little unfair.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
But lawyers for those who oppose the approach are likely to argue that waiving the debt is unfair to those who already paid back their loans or never took out college loans in the first place.
—Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Now the network and its producers face a slew of allegations and lawsuits claiming bullying, harassment and unfair labor practices.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The complaint asserts five claims including federal claims for trademark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and similar claims under Oregon law.
—Tre'vaughn Howard, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
First, the courts ask whether the unfair labor practice case is likely to succeed on the merits in establishing that labor violations occurred.
—Michael Z. Green, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
Read Next Business Governor called legislation to stop sale of ITD’s Boise campus unfair.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2024
But the judge disagreed, saying the company engaged in unfair labor practices in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
—Bruce Schreiner, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
And occasionally, [these theories] end up addressing things that are a little unfair.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
But lawyers for those who oppose the approach are likely to argue that waiving the debt is unfair to those who already paid back their loans or never took out college loans in the first place.
—Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Now the network and its producers face a slew of allegations and lawsuits claiming bullying, harassment and unfair labor practices.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The complaint asserts five claims including federal claims for trademark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and similar claims under Oregon law.
—Tre'vaughn Howard, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near unfair
Cite this Entry
“Unfair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfair. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
unfair
adjective
un·fair
ˌən-ˈfa(ə)r 
ˈən-,
-ˈfe(ə)r
2
: not fair in doing business
unfair to workers
unfairly
adverb
unfairness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on unfair
Nglish: Translation of unfair for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of unfair for Arabic Speakers
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