partisanship

noun

par·​ti·​san·​ship ˈpär-tə-zən-ˌship 

-sən-, 

-ˌzan-

chiefly British ˌpär-tə-ˈzan-

: the quality or state of being partisan : strong and sometimes blind adherence to a particular party, faction, cause, or person

political partisanship

The Court is so riven by partisanship that justices even pick their law clerks in ways influenced by ideology …

—Anthony Lewis

The succession of Civil War, Reconstruction and the Gilded Age was marked by bitter partisanship, endemic corruption, appalling violence and a general sense that democracy was failing.

—Jon Grinspan

Synonyms of partisanship

• bias
• prejudice
• tendentiousness
• partiality

Examples of partisanship in a Sentence

partisanship can discourage any serious search for the truth

there's a pervasive partisanship in the company that prevents it from acknowledging that other companies are outpacing it with innovative ideas

Recent Examples on the Web

This suggests that declining faith goes beyond partisanship and reflects a more fundamental question about this group’s sense of belonging. — Diana Orcés, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

The partisanship changes will still wait until two years from now, but in November, voters throughout the county will be able to select candidates. — Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026

Hillary Clinton said that AI was becoming ‘too dangerous’ for partisanship to paralyze Washington. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

His story demonstrates that democracy depends on participation, respectful disagreement, and a willingness to put principles above partisanship. — Clarine Nardi Riddle, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for partisanship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• citizenship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship