impartial

adjective

im·​par·​tial (ˌ)im-ˈpär-shəl How to pronounce impartial (audio)
: not partial or biased : treating or affecting all equally
impartiality noun
impartially 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.

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
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.
International aid organizations refused to participate in the new system, with deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq saying the plan is not impartial, neutral or independent. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 June 2025 But the United Nations says the plan is not impartial or neutral, and it will not be involved. 'PARIAH STATE' As people waited for supplies to arrive, air strikes and tank fire killed at least 50 people across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian health authorities said. Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 23 May 2025 This reform established a clear standard: Salary decisions should be fair, transparent and impartial — free from political self-interest. Andrew Hall, Mercury News, 22 May 2025 One measure proposed keeping the new just cause standard, but eliminating the second part of the bill that said termination decisions would be determined and finalized by an impartial hearing officer. Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impartial

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impartial was in 1587

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Cite this Entry

“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impartial. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

impartial

adjective
im·​par·​tial (ˈ)im-ˈpär-shəl How to pronounce impartial (audio)
: treating all equally : not partial
an impartial judge
impartiality noun
impartially adverb

Legal Definition

impartial

adjective
im·​par·​tial im-ˈpär-shəl How to pronounce impartial (audio)
: not partial or biased : treating or affecting all equally
impartiality noun
impartially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on impartial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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