Fair-dealing
adj.kind, thoughtfulformal
What it means
Honest and equitable in transactions or practical dealings with others.
Reach for it when describing a person or organization whose agreements can be trusted
The fair-dealing supplier disclosed the delay before accepting payment.
Choose between these
6- everyday
nothing material is hidden from the other side
not when Aboveboard promises openness but not necessarily generous or balanced terms.
- everyday
truthfulness is the clearest basis for the praise
not when Honest does not ensure that prices, terms, or bargaining power are equitable.
- warm
a history of dependable conduct deserves personal confidence
not when Trustworthy is broader than conduct in negotiations and sales.
- professional
terms should account fairly for each side's position
not when Equitable can describe an outcome without praising candid conduct.
- professional
consistent ethical commitments guide difficult decisions
not when Principled can sound ideological when the evidence is one fair contract.
- formal
careful moral standards govern every detail of the transaction
not when Scrupulous may imply exacting caution beyond ordinary fair dealing.
Said against
4- dishonest
- exploitative
- underhanded
- unfair
It naturally appears in
3- fair-dealing merchant
A fair-dealing merchant posts every fee beside the price.
- fair-dealing employer
The fair-dealing employer corrected the payroll error immediately.
- fair-dealing reputation
Years of transparent contracts built a fair-dealing reputation.
Usage notes
The hyphenated adjective was not separately listed; the sourced fair dealing phrase grounds this attributive use.