partiality

noun

par·​tial·​i·​ty ˌpär-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

pär-ˈsha-lə-tē

plural partialities

1

: the quality or state of being partial : bias

2

: a special taste or liking

Synonyms of partiality

• bias
• prejudice
• partisanship
• tendency

Examples of partiality in a Sentence

partiality blinded the administrator to the benefits of the proposed system for distributing work

a person with an unfortunate partiality for jumping to conclusions

Recent Examples on the Web

Ellison’s public stance has fueled concerns that Micko’s decision creates, at minimum, the appearance of partiality in a case where the state’s top law enforcement official, who appears to employ the judge’s wife, had already weighed in on the central legal question. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 23 Jan. 2026

This Sunday’s order is a matter of preference and partiality, but the top five itself seems clear. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Despite its partiality to a president’s power over independent federal agencies, the court has repeatedly suggested that the Fed is an exception. —Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025

But, actually, partiality is one of the reasons that scenarios are valuable. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing partiality

• self-partiality

Rhymes for partiality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

Kids Definition

partiality

noun

par·​tial·​i·​ty ˌpär-shē-ˈal-ət-ē 

pär-ˈshal-

plural partialities

1

: the quality or state of being partial

2

: a special taste or liking