English Dictionary |
UNFAIRNESS
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Dictionary entry overview: What does unfairness mean?
• UNFAIRNESS (noun)
The noun UNFAIRNESS has 3 senses:
1. partiality that is not fair or equitable
2. injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standards
Familiarity information: UNFAIRNESS used as a noun is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Partiality that is not fair or equitable
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("unfairness" is a kind of...):
partiality; partisanship (an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives)
Antonym:
fairness (ability to make judgments free from discrimination or dishonesty)
Derivation:
unfair (not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standards
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Synonyms:
inequity; unfairness
Hypernyms ("unfairness" is a kind of...):
injustice; unjustness (the practice of being unjust or unfair)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "unfairness"):
gamesmanship (the use of dubious (although not technically illegal) methods to win a game)
Antonym:
fairness (conformity with rules or standards)
Derivation:
unfair (not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An unjust act
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
iniquity; injustice; shabbiness; unfairness
Hypernyms ("unfairness" is a kind of...):
actus reus; misconduct; wrongdoing; wrongful conduct (activity that transgresses moral or civil law)
Derivation:
unfair (not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception)
Context examples
But there is a certain sense of equity that resides in life, and it was this sense in him that resented the unfairness of his being permitted no defence against the stone-throwers.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
June-born Cancers experienced this type of unfairness from a romantic or business partner, competitors, or bosses during 2018, and currently, it is those Cancers born on or near July 3-4 who are being similarly dominated by a partner in love or business or from competitors in a near-ruthless way.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"He who gets the grace of the women is neither hungry nor thirsty" (Breton proverb)
"Blood can never turn into water." (Arabic proverb)
"Know what you say, but don't say all that you know." (Dutch proverb)