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

Bret clunkily jumps right to his virginity, suggesting that whatever is going on between them isn’t exactly one-sided. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Erasmus emptied his bench in the third quarter and the fresh power showed in the increasingly one-sided scrums. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Unlike the Tribune, none of those outlets interviewed Benton’s accusers, leaving Welch to present a largely one-sided account. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

The inspiration was a one-sided deal between the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees, but not the one involving George Herman Ruth. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 31 July 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