impartial

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

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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 of impartial

• 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

Mohip told the judge that city ethics rules require only that zoning board members be impartial in their decisions. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026

Judge Debra McCaslin ruled last month that the retrial cannot take place anywhere in the 14th Circuit, finding that Murdaugh would be unable to receive a fair and impartial trial in Colleton County, where the original trial occurred. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The board's ability to hire an independent attorney from outside City Hall is viewed by board staff as crucial to ensuring an impartial inquiry. — Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The state attorney in Tallahassee must file criminal charges against all involved in this public fraud and fiasco, if the scales of justice are truly impartial. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026

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