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

Penalties one-sided so far The 15-yard penalty for roughing the kicker that extended a New England drive in the third quarter was just the latest flag on the Seahawks. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

This has been a one-sided Test series, and Pakistan did little to wrest away England’s overall dominance on the first day at Edgbaston. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

But most people who sign up for the doc will have long ago made up their minds about Musk, so a one-sided argument won’t be a problem. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

The question is where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 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