Definition of IMPARTIALITY

Other Words from impartial

impartiality \ (ˌ)im-ˌpär-shē-ˈa-lə-tē

, -ˌpär-ˈsha- \ noun

impartially \ (ˌ)im-ˈpär-sh(ə-)lē

\ adverb

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

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.

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 The verdict could influence not only Trump’s political future but that of the senators sworn to deliver impartial justice as jurors. — Lisa Mascaro, Chron, "Fight over witnesses could delay Trump trial conclusion," 13 Feb. 2021 That verdict could heavily influence not only Trump's political future but that of the senators sworn to deliver impartial justice as jurors. — Arkansas Online, "Senate poised to vote on holding Trump accountable for riot," 13 Feb. 2021 That verdict could heavily influence not only Trump’s political future but that of the senators sworn to deliver impartial justice as jurors. — Anchorage Daily News, "Senate poised to vote on holding Trump accountable for riot," 13 Feb. 2021 The verdict, on a vote of 57-43, is all but certain to influence not only the former president's political future but that of the senators sworn to deliver impartial justice as jurors. — Lisa Mascaro, Star Tribune, "Trump acquitted, denounced in historic impeachment trial," 13 Feb. 2021 Critics blasted Cruz, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Lindsay Graham for huddling with the defense despite their oath to render an impartial verdict. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, "Trump defense aims for quick end to impeachment trial, glossing past evidence of incitement to focus on fact he’s now an ex-president," 12 Feb. 2021 Music is sometimes presented as a kind of impartial panacea—a bridge between enemies. — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, "The Best Inaugural Music Moments," 21 Jan. 2021 Was there a magnificent opportunity to demonstrate that in an impartial, rigorous and exemplary trial? — Washington Post, "Mexico declines to prosecute ex-defense minister Cienfuegos on drug charges," 15 Jan. 2021 Yet when those jurists, who are sworn to impartial justice, make decisions that don't align with party politics, criticism has flowed freely at times — even from others in the co-equal branches of government including Trump himself. — Jonathan Mattise And Kimberlee Kruesi, Star Tribune, "Trump-appointed judges under an election-year political lens," 24 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impartial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.