biased

adjective

bi·​ased ˈbī-əst How to pronounce biased (audio)
Synonyms of biasednext
1
: exhibiting or characterized by bias
2
: tending to yield one outcome more frequently than others in a statistical experiment
a biased coin
3
: having an expected value different from the quantity or parameter estimated
a biased estimate

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Bias vs. Biased

In recent years, we have seen more evidence of the adjectival bias in constructions like “a bias news program” instead of the more usual “a biased news program.” The reason is likely because of aural confusion: the -ed of biased may be filtered out by hearers, which means that bias and biased can sound similar in the context of normal speech. They are not interchangeable, however. The adjective that means “exhibited or characterized by an unreasoned judgment” is biased (“a biased news story”). There is an adjective bias, but it means “diagonal” and is used only of fabrics (“a bias cut across the fabric”).

Examples of biased in a Sentence

It's also politically biased, full of slighting references to the Whigs, whom Johnson detested, and imperiously chauvinistic, wherever possible dismissing or making light of words imported from French. Charles McGrath, New York Times Book Review, 4 Dec. 2005
I am willing to believe that history is for the most part inaccurate and biased, but what is peculiar to our age is the abandonment of the idea that history could be truthfully written. In the past people deliberately lied, or they unconsciously colored what they wrote, or they struggled after the truth, well knowing that they must make many mistakes; but in each case they believed that 'the facts' existed and were more or less discoverable. Leon Wieseltier, New Republic, 17 Feb. 2003
The information experts say that it's dangerous to conclude very much from talking to people because you will never interact with a scientifically selected random sample. Thus, the information you derive from meeting people is biased or anecdotal. Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 2002
But even if you think I may be biased about the book's conclusions, please trust me about its awful prose. James Martin, Commonweal, 3 May 2002
She is too biased to write about the case objectively. He is biased against women. The judges of the talent show were biased toward musical acts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The addition of Pavlich’s opinion show diverged from the channel’s initial brand as a non-biased news outlet. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026 The probe, which was first launched in January 2025 after a complaint about biased algorithms, has since widened to include charges related to Grok—including whether Grok engaged in Holocaust denial via its outputs, a crime in France. Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026 Hughes has come out the other side of those biased perceptions of his game because he is listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, considerably heavier than Hutson’s listed 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds. Arpon Basu, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 The aim is to reduce both the risk of biased results and the risk of confusion or harm for participants. Ian Reardon, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for biased

Word History

Etymology

see bias entry 1

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biased was in 1599

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Cite this Entry

“Biased.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biased. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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