unfairness
Lack of equity
Unfairness is the quality of being unjust or inequitable—treatment that violates a sense of what people deserve.
It ranges from minor slights to systemic injustice: The unfairness of the decision rankled him for years.
Children develop sharp sensitivity to unfairness early, protesting when siblings receive larger portions or better treatment.
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- one-sidednessImbalanced viewpoint or treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
slant · skew · predisposition · inclination · subjectivity · partisanship · bigotry · nepotism
Unequal distribution of resources
- imbalanceLack of proportion
- gapUnfilled space between
- divideSeparate into parts
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
unevenness · discrepancy · differential · disproportion · mismatch · lopsidedness · wage gap · wealth gap
Expression of discontent
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- wrongContrary to fact
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- objectionExpression of disapproval
resentment · indignation · outrage · frustration · dissatisfaction · discontent · mistreatment · appeal
Cruel or harmful behavior
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- harmInjury or damage
- targetingSelecting as objective
scapegoating · bullying · harassment · oppression · maltreatment · disadvantage · suffering · powerlessness
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
- ableismBias against disabled individuals
- homophobiaPrejudice against same-sex attraction
transphobia · xenophobia · casteism · misogyny · segregation · exclusion · profiling · stereotyping
Unethical or illegal action
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- violationBreaking of rules
denial · persecution · tyranny · corruption · misconduct · malpractice · miscarriage · travesty
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- one-sidednessImbalanced viewpoint or treatment
discrimination · slant · skew · predisposition · inclination · subjectivity · partisanship · bigotry · nepotism · cronyism
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
asymmetry · unevenness · discrepancy · differential · disproportion · mismatch · lopsidedness · wage gap · wealth gap · opportunity gap
complaint
Expression of discontent
objection · resentment · indignation · outrage · frustration · dissatisfaction · discontent · mistreatment · appeal · redress
mistreatment
Cruel or harmful behavior
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- harmInjury or damage
targeting · scapegoating · bullying · harassment · oppression · maltreatment · disadvantage · suffering · powerlessness · vulnerability
racism
Prejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
- ableismBias against disabled individuals
homophobia · transphobia · xenophobia · casteism · misogyny · segregation · exclusion · profiling · stereotyping · marginalization
wrongdoing
Unethical or illegal action
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
violation · denial · persecution · tyranny · corruption · misconduct · malpractice · miscarriage · travesty · human rights
- favoritismfavoritism, nepotism, cronyism, partiality, preferential treatment
- grievancesinjustice, mistreatment, wrong, violation, offense
- wrongswrong, wrongdoing, misdeed, mistake, error
- imbalanceimbalance, disequilibrium, disproportion, asymmetry, lopsidedness
- social judgmentapproval, disapproval, criticism, reputation, shaming
- harsh realitiesbitter truth, hard truth, harsh truth, home truth, reality check
unfairnessfairness
Just and equal treatment
justice · equity · impartiality · fair play · fair-mindedness