one-sided

adjective

one-sid·​ed ˈwən-ˈsī-dəd 

1

a(1)

: having one side prominent : lopsided

(2)

: having or occurring on one side only

b

: limited to one side : partial

a one-sided interpretation

2

: unilateral

a one-sided decision

one-sidedly adverb

one-sidedness noun

Synonyms of one-sided

• partial
• hostile
• distorted
• partisan
• biased

Examples of one-sided in a Sentence

my neighbor's account of how the feud got started was somewhat one-sided

Recent Examples on the Web

Humbled and exposed in a one-sided loss to Georgia, Sumrall reminded his team that plenty remains at stake this season. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

In the final days before Tuesday’s election, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton crisscrossed California, trading barbs at rallies and Halloween events in a largely one-sided governor’s race. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

The teams meet at noon at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in a game that has become one of the most one-sided series in the Big 12. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Options trading in both stocks leaned bullish after the open Wednesday, with Meta options looking particularly one-sided as traders bought more calls than puts and more put trades likely initiated by sellers than buyers. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for one-sided

• coincided
• subdivided
• undecided
• undivided
• unprovided
• abided
• collided
• confided
• decided
• derided
• divided
• elided

Kids Definition

one-sided

adjective

one-sid·​ed

ˈwən-ˈsīd-əd

1

a

: having one side more developed

b

: having or happening on one side only

2

: favoring one side : partial

a one-sided view of the case

one-sidedly adverb

one-sidedness noun