Unfair: meaning, definitions and examples

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unfair

[ʌnˈfɛr ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

treatment

Not based on or behaving according to the principles of equality and justice; unjust.

Synonyms

biased, discriminatory, inequitable, unjust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfair	Used in general situations where something is not right or just. It's unfair that she was punished while others were not. The referee made an unfair decision during the match.
unjust	Used to describe actions or situations that are morally wrong and unfair. The unjust treatment of prisoners is a serious human rights issue. It was unjust to blame her for a mistake she didn't make.
inequitable	Used in formal contexts to describe something that is unfair or unjust, especially in distribution or treatment. The distribution of resources was inequitable, leaving some areas underfunded. An inequitable system benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
biased	Used when someone has a preconceived opinion that influences their actions or decisions. The judge was biased against the defendant. The news report was biased, showing only one side of the story.
discriminatory	Used in situations involving unfair treatment of people based on certain characteristics like race, gender, or age. The policy was discriminatory, favoring younger employees over older ones. Laws that prevent discriminatory hiring practices are essential.

Examples of usage

The decision was deemed unfair by the majority of the employees.
She felt that the grading system was unfair to students who struggled with testing.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

situation

Not in accordance with the rules or standards; dishonest or unethical.

Synonyms

dishonest, partial, unethical, unjust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfair	Use this when talking about a situation where things are not balanced or equal, such as someone being given an advantage over others without a valid reason. It's unfair that she got the job just because she knows the boss. The rules of the game are unfair and favor the older kids.
dishonest	Use this when referring to someone who is lying, cheating, or not telling the truth. He was dishonest about his qualifications on his resume. Her dishonest behavior lost her many friends.
unethical	Use this to describe actions or behavior that are morally wrong or against accepted standards of behavior, especially in professional settings. It is unethical for a doctor to prescribe treatments that are not needed. Her unethical business practices eventually led to her being fired.
unjust	Use this when describing something that is not fair or morally right, often in the context of laws, rules, or social systems. The punishment was unjust and far too severe for the crime. Many people believe the new law is unjust and discriminatory.
partial	Use this when there is a bias or when someone favors one side over another, often in an unfair manner. The judge was partial and clearly supported the plaintiff. His partial opinion made it hard to trust his judgment.

Examples of usage

It was unfair of him to take credit for her work.
The referee's biased decisions made the game unfair.

^{Context #3 | Adverb}

manner

In a way that is not right or just.

Synonyms

dishonestly, partial, unethically, unjustly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfair	This word is appropriate when describing situations that are not just or equitable, often in a general or everyday context. It conveys a sense of somebody being treated in a way that is not right or deserved. The teacher's decision to give extra points to only one student was unfair. It was unfair that I had to do all the cleaning by myself.
dishonestly	This word is used when describing actions that involve cheating or lying. It implies a lack of honesty and is negative in nature. He gained his position at the company dishonestly by lying about his qualifications. She acted dishonestly by taking credit for someone else’s work.
unjustly	This word is appropriate for situations where actions or outcomes are not only unfair but also violate principles of justice or legal standards. It has a strong negative implication. She was unjustly imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. The laws discriminated unjustly against certain groups of people.
unethically	This word is best used when actions go against moral principles or professional standards. It has a negative connotation and usually involves actions seen as morally wrong. He acted unethically by using company resources for personal gain. The journalist obtained the information unethically by hacking into private accounts.
partial	This word is suitable when someone shows favoritism or bias towards a particular person or thing. It suggests that decisions or views are not objective. The judge was criticized for being partial towards the defendant. She is often partial to her own children when resolving fights.

Examples of usage

He played unfairly by constantly bending the rules.
She was accused of competing unfairly against her opponents.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'unfair' dates back to the 14th century, originating from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'fair,' which comes from Old English meaning 'beautiful or pleasant.'
In medieval courts, justice was often determined by the fairness of trials, and being unfair in judgment was looked down upon.
Legal systems have evolved to combat unfair practices, notably in the concepts of due process and fair trials.

Psychology

Studies show that perceptions of unfairness can lead to feelings of anger and resentment, influencing social behavior.
The concept of fairness is a critical element in developing trust and cooperation within groups.
Children as young as three can demonstrate an understanding of fairness, reacting negatively to unequal distributions of resources.

Literature

Many classic stories depict themes of unfairness, such as 'The Tortured Artist,' where protagonists struggle against societal injustices.
Authors like Charles Dickens often highlight unfair societal structures in their novels, such as in 'A Tale of Two Cities'.
Poetry frequently reflects on the notion of unfairness, exploring personal and societal dilemmas through emotional language.

Pop Culture

Movies and shows often depict the theme of unfairness to build conflict, such as in 'The Hunger Games', where the oppression of districts reveals deep societal unfairness.
Songs like 'Fight the Power' by Public Enemy address issues of unfair treatment and inequality, resonating with listeners' sense of justice.
The concept often features in children’s cartoons where characters seek to restore fairness, like in 'Toy Story' when Woody feels unfairly replaced by Buzz Lightyear.

Sociology

Unfair treatment can manifest in multiple forms, including discrimination based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status, affecting social cohesion.
Social movements throughout history, such as the Civil Rights Movement, have centered around fighting unfair practices in society.
Studies indicate that individuals belonging to marginalized groups often experience higher levels of unfair treatment, leading to broader social implications.

Translations

Translations of the word "unfair" in other languages:

🇵🇹 injusto

🇮🇳 अन्यायपूर्ण

🇩🇪 unfair

🇮🇩 tidak adil

🇺🇦 несправедливий

🇵🇱 niesprawiedliwy

🇯🇵 不公平 (ふこうへい)

🇫🇷 injuste

🇪🇸 injusto

🇹🇷 adil olmayan

🇰🇷 불공평한

🇸🇦 غير عادل

🇨🇿 nespravedlivý

🇸🇰 nespravodlivý

🇨🇳 不公平的 (bù gōngpíng de)

🇸🇮 nepravičen

🇮🇸 ósanngjarn

🇰🇿 әділетсіз

🇬🇪 უსამართლო

🇦🇿 ədalətsiz

🇲🇽 injusto

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,438, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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