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

• biased
• parti pris
• partial
• partisan
• prejudiced

Examples of one-sided in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gauff jumped out to a 5-0 lead in a first set so one-sided that Ostapenko had won just three points in the first four games. —oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2023

That hearing was one-sided from the beginning, with Oppenheimer’s lawyers barred from accessing confidential materials, while the commission’s prosecuting attorney had access to hundreds of wiretap recordings. —Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 22 July 2023

The sentiment was not one-sided as Gatson echoed his admiration for Jest. —Grace Cady, Journal Sentinel, 9 June 2023

Chances are, this new moon will open you up to making new friends, especially if things have felt one-sided in previous friendships. —Dossé-Via, refinery29.com, 5 June 2023

The race to serve out the remaining two years in the east-side district vacated by now-state Sen. Forrest Dunbar is comparably one-sided in terms of fundraising. —Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

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

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