Unfairly
/ʌnˈfɛərli/
Definitions
In a way that is not right or just; inequitably.
/ʌnˈfɛərli/
In an unjust or inequitable manner.
The company unfairly fired its employees.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend gets more ice cream than you, even though you both did the same thing. That's unfair, and if something happens unfairly, it's like that – not right or equal. Like when the teacher grades your project less because she does not like you.
👶 For kids: When something is not right or not equal, it's unfair. Like if you get a smaller piece of cake than your brother, that's unfair!
More Examples
She felt that she was being treated unfairly because of her gender.
The rules of the game were unfairly applied to our team.
How It's Used
"The judge ruled that the company had treated its employees unfairly."
"The team was penalized unfairly by the referee."
"It seems like the weather has been unfairly cold this summer."
From "unfair" + "-ly". "Unfair" comes from Old English "unfǣger", meaning "not fair". "-ly" is an adverbial suffix.
The word "unfairly" has been in use since the late 16th century, reflecting the evolving concepts of justice and equity.
Memory tip
Think of an "unfair" game; it's being played unfairly.