fairness

noun

fair·​ness ˈfer-nəs How to pronounce fairness (audio)
: the quality or state of being fair
especially : fair or impartial treatment : lack of favoritism toward one side or another
This is the real Ponzi scheme that does injury to the American promise of fairnessJesse Jackson
The rules reflect the principles of procedural due process and fundamental fairness prescribed by the Constitution … James O. Freedman
… partisan gerrymandering has got so out of hand that it was up to the courts to restore a measure of fairness. Jeffrey Toobin
We are living in the harsh world invented by a handful of corporate raiders whose values are completely foreign to the fairness and moderation that had so long served as the proper foundation of American success and the American dream. Doris Haddock
He did poorly, but in (all) fairness [=to be fair to him], he was tired.

Examples of fairness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Speaking in New Hampshire on Monday, Biden defended his proposals on the grounds of fairness. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 Although in fairness, a big part of journalism is trying to balance arrogance, doubt and self-loathing and channeling the incongruity into your work. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024 In fairness, our family does have something approaching a legacy dish. Lisa Swander, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024 But even among Khan’s opponents, the sentiment that fairness is lacking in Pakistani politics remains widespread. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 When asked which political party is more trusted to ensure fairness in the tax code, 42% of voters, a plurality, said Democrats, while 36% said Republicans. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024 What federal prosecutors want is ... the public to come to accept that the defendant was afforded fairness. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024 As scrutiny over fairness in college admissions intensifies, a California lawmaker renewed efforts Wednesday to ban state financial aid to private campuses — including USC and Stanford University — that give admissions preferences to children of alumni and donors. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The State Department is under the control of the Biden administration, which is less interested in freedom and fairness than in pushing its fanatical post-liberal progressive agenda. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fairness.' 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

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fairness was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fairness

Cite this Entry

“Fairness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairness. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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