impartial

adjective

im·​par·​tial (ˌ)im-ˈpär-shəl 

: not partial or biased : treating or affecting all equally

impartiality

(ˌ)im-ˌpär-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

-ˌpär-ˈsha-

noun

impartially

(ˌ)im-ˈpär-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

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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

• 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

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

Our reviews are impartial and our opinions are our own. —New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025

In a supporting document filed by Kalshi in the Nevada case in April, Kalshi head of markets Xavier Sottile noted how ErisX, a predecessor to the current sports prediction market craze, previously butted up against the impartial access issue. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025

Such changes do more than convey impartial information. —Stephanie A, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025

The essence of impartial justice is treating like conduct alike—not identifying the target and then finding the crime. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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