: 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 fairness … —
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson The rules reflect the principles of procedural due process and fundamental fairness prescribed by the Constitution … —James O. Freedman
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
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
Doris Haddock He did poorly, but in (all) fairness [=to be fair to him], he was tired.
Synonyms of fairness
Examples of fairness in a Sentence
a city of incomparable fairness, Venice has enchanted travelers for centuries
fairness was certainly uppermost in the elderly woman's mind as she made arrangements for dividing the family heirlooms among her many grandchildren
Recent Examples on the Web
And also in fairness, when asked, Wallace wasn’t surprised at all Corbett didn’t remember purchasing the book or writing the letter.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
The states that have these bans say that the bans are designed to protect fairness and competition and safety within sports.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Concerns have been raised about fairness in some of the executions, as many inmates had serious mental health issues or lacked legal representation, and some were victims of abuse at state reform schools.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Kids often have a natural instinct toward fairness and creativity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fairness
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Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
The states that have these bans say that the bans are designed to protect fairness and competition and safety within sports.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Concerns have been raised about fairness in some of the executions, as many inmates had serious mental health issues or lacked legal representation, and some were victims of abuse at state reform schools.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Kids often have a natural instinct toward fairness and creativity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fairness
Cite this Entry
“Fairness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairness. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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