The adverb “unfairly” has several synonyms that can be used to describe actions or situations that lack fairness.
One synonym is “inequitably”. This word emphasizes a lack of equity or fairness in a more formal or technical way. For example, “The workers were treated inequitably, receiving lower pay than their colleagues for the same work.” It suggests a sense of imbalance or injustice.
“unjustly” is another synonym. It implies that something is done without justice or in a way that is contrary to what is right. For instance, “He was punished unjustly for a crime he did not commit.” This term conveys a stronger sense of moral wrongness.
“prejudicially” can also be used as a synonym. It suggests that something is done in a way that is influenced by prejudice or bias. For example, “The decision was made prejudicially, without considering all the facts.” This word highlights the role of unfair biases in an action.
“discriminatorily” is a more specific synonym. It refers to actions that are discriminatory or show favoritism or prejudice. For example, “She was treated discriminatorily because of her gender.” This term emphasizes the unfair treatment based on a particular characteristic.
Finally, “unevenly” can be a synonym in some contexts. While it usually refers to something being unequal or not distributed evenly, it can also imply a lack of fairness. For example, “The resources were distributed unevenly, leading to unfairness among the different groups.”