biased

adjective

bi·​ased ˈbī-əst How to pronounce biased (audio)
Synonyms of biased
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.
To think our mayor would cheer such a tragic event is undeniably inane and incredibly biased. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026 That understanding appears shattered after Read successfully obtained text messages shared between Goode and Proctor, the lead investigator of the case that led to Read being charged with O’Keefe’s murder, that painted a picture of two heavily biased and corrupt cops. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 19 June 2026 The Sacramento Police Department will be subject to a city audit after a nonprofit report found evidence of racially-biased traffic enforcement. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 The company has denied the allegations, calling them misleading and culturally biased, and later settled with authorities in a deal that included payments and commitments to improve conditions, without admitting wrongdoing. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 15 June 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 26 Jun. 2026.

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