having qualities which inspire hope
as long as the team keeps playing as hard as they can, they have a fair chance of winning—no matter what the scoreboard says
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
most thought his dismissal was fair since he had been given many chances to clean up his act
How does the adjective fair contrast with its synonyms?
Some common synonyms of fair are dispassionate, equitable, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.
a fair decision
When is dispassionate a more appropriate choice than fair?
The words dispassionate and fair can be used in similar contexts, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.
a dispassionate summation of the facts
How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of fair?
Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.
the equitable distribution of the property
Where would impartial be a reasonable alternative to fair?
The meanings of impartial and fair largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.
an impartial third party
When would just be a good substitute for fair?
The words just and fair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.
a just settlement of territorial claims
In what contexts can objective take the place of fair?
While in some cases nearly identical to fair, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.
I can't be objective about my own child
When can unbiased be used instead of fair?
In some situations, the words unbiased and fair are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.
your unbiased opinion
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of fair
Adjective
Davis said approximately 4,000 people registered for the fair, which speaks to the state of the job market.—
Bri Buckley,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2026 At a special fair contest, Iowa pie bakers gave the Pie Lady Louise Piper a fitting farewell.—
Courtney Crowder,
Des Moines Register,
28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Other highlights include the 50th anniversary of Anacostia Park’s beloved roller skating pavilion; fairs dedicated to works by female artists; and international festivals with food, music and dancing.—
Mark Jenkins,
Washington Post,
27 Aug. 2026 Other finalists will also have their likeness turned into a butter sculpture throughout the fair.—
Wcco Staff,
CBS News,
27 Aug. 2026
Adverb
The addition of Breitling and the other newcomers further strengthens Watches and Wonders’ position as the industry's premier annual event, continuing a trend that has seen more brands choose the Geneva fair as their primary global showcase.—
Anthony Demarco,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026 Broward voters have the right to elect candidates who are fighting fair on as equal a playing field as possible.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fair
In recent years, the Golden State has become a major hub for millennial homebuyers seeking sunny weather, career opportunities and a higher quality of life.
—
Gagandeep Singh,
Sacbee.com,
25 Aug. 2026
To attract them to your garden, Biggs recommends avoiding pesticides and building fishless ponds and sunny areas with perches.
—
Olga R. Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Aug. 2026
While pay-transparency laws and talent shortages can create more equitable gains for employees, the reality is that wealth gains remain modest at the bottom and substantial at the top.
—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
26 Aug. 2026
Zay was seeking immediate equitable relief and asked to be reinstated as commissioner while it was determined if his removal complied with Indiana Code.
The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.
—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2026
Below, experts provide legal advice on how to handle this situation and keep things as smooth as possible, along with simple yard cleaning tips to help keep your landscape tidy.
But our frustrations and inconvenience pale in comparison to the sadness of those who knew the deceased or to the trauma the drivers involved experienced.
—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
30 Aug. 2026
Iconic yachting brand Riva was the inspiration behind the redesign, according to Christie, seen in the use of dark wood, pale leather and marble that gives the lounge a distinctly Italian feel.
The royal has gone blonde before, debuting a noticeably lighter shade during a September outing at London's Natural History Museum with Prince William.
—
Sameen Chaudhry,
USA Today,
25 Aug. 2026
In addition to her decades of iconic songs, Parton was instantly recognizable for her grand, glitzy outfits and even grander blonde hair.
There was a time when getting a decent electric dirt bike meant spending serious money.
—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Aug. 2026
In the Arabic-speaking pic, Barhom stars as Hichem, a customs officer on the Algerian-Tunisian border, who tries to provide a decent life for his wife Leila and little daughter Zineb.
Arguably, the most beautiful version of this trend right now is the love-layers cut.
—
Lucy Binder,
Glamour,
30 Aug. 2026
The meltwater pouring off Bråsvellbreen like waterfalls, though breathtakingly beautiful, was another sobering reminder of the consequences of global warming.
Copy Citation
