impartial

1 of 2

adjective

im·​par·​tial (ˌ)im-ˈpär-shəl 

: not partial or biased : treating or affecting all equally

an impartial judge/juror/observer

an impartial analysis

impartiality

(ˌ)im-ˌpär-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

-ˌpär-ˈsha-

noun

impartially

(ˌ)im-ˈpär-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

impartiality

2 of 2

noun

im·​partiality (¦)im 

əm+

: the quality or state of being impartial : freedom from bias or favoritism : disinterestedness, fairness

the impartiality of the scientific spirit

—John Dewey

with wonderful impartiality, the play admits shenanigans and sentiment

—Time

Did you know?

Impartial vs Partial

To be "partial to" or "partial toward" someone or something is to be somewhat biased or prejudiced, which means that a person who is partial really only sees part of the whole picture. To be impartial is the opposite. The United Nations sends impartial observers to monitor elections in troubled countries. We hope judges and juries will be impartial when they hand down verdicts. But grandparents aren't expected to be impartial when describing their new grandchild.

Synonyms of impartial

Adjective

• equitable
• equal
• objective

Choose the Right Synonym for impartial

fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side.

fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

Examples of impartial in a Sentence

Adjective

an impartial analysis of the case

an impartial evaluation of the job applicant's qualifications that does not consider age, gender, or race

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Argentina followers found the more official watch party at Centennial Park too um … impartial … for their tastes and moved their festivities a few blocks east. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

After the abuses of Watergate, DOJ refashioned itself to resist political interference by the White House in the name of dispensing impartial justice. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Public trust depends upon judges who are impartial, prepared, respectful, and committed to applying the law fairly – regardless of the parties appearing before them. — Schnelle Tonge, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026

Multiple investigations underway In Maine, local officials have asked for a full and impartial probe. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impartial

• marshal
• parshall
• partial

Kids Definition

impartial

adjective

im·​par·​tial (ˈ)im-ˈpär-shəl 

: treating all equally : not partial

an impartial judge

impartiality

(ˌ)im-ˌpär-shē-ˈal-ət-ē 

-ˌpär-ˈshal-

noun

impartially

(ˈ)im-ˈpärsh-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

impartial

adjective

im·​par·​tial im-ˈpär-shəl 

: not partial or biased : treating or affecting all equally

impartiality

im-ˌpär-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

impartially adverb