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

Two players wore the same number during a punt return at Utah in a one-sided loss to open the 2023 season. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Regan is accused of assaulting a fellow trooper at the ReelHouse brewpub in Marina Bay on June 26 in a one-sided fight that was shown in a video taken off the bar’s security camera. — Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

The close of that second day — admittedly of what became an all too short and one-sided Test because of Pakistan’s alarming frailties — brought a fascinating debate on the BBC’s Test Match Special podcast. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

After finally getting a day off Monday, the Brewers delivered their 22-0 blowout of Seattle that matched the most one-sided shutout in modern MLB history. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 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