unfairly

adverb

un·​fair·​ly ˌən-ˈfer-lē How to pronounce unfairly (audio)
Synonyms of unfairlynext
: in an unfair manner

Examples of unfairly in a Sentence

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.
Opponents of the law have also claimed an expansion of voting rights would unfairly help Democratic candidates for public office. — Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 Plaintiffs attorneys contend the reforms unfairly deprived policyholders of an important tool to challenge underpayments or claim denials. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025 For its part, GEO argues that Washington wants to unfairly — and hypocritically — hold the Tacoma facility to a standard that even state facilities don’t have to meet. — Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2025 Musk has long accused the agency of unfairly targeting SpaceX while overlooking safety concerns with Boeing. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfairly

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfairly was in 1713

Rhymes for unfairly

See All Rhymes for unfairly

Browse Nearby Words

unfairly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfairly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfairly. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on unfairly

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unfairly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All