Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective impartial contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impartial are dispassionate, equitable, fair, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

When could dispassionate be used to replace impartial?

The synonyms dispassionate and impartial are sometimes interchangeable, but dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How do equitable and just relate to one another, in the sense of impartial?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

In what contexts can fair take the place of impartial?

The words fair and impartial can be used in similar contexts, but fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When is just a more appropriate choice than impartial?

The words just and impartial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

When would objective be a good substitute for impartial?

While in some cases nearly identical to impartial, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When might unbiased be a better fit than impartial?

In some situations, the words unbiased and impartial are roughly equivalent. However, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impartial Restructuring sounds proactive; business optimization sounds strategic; and a focus on cost structures feels impartial. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 20 July 2025 While representing a 26-year-old Shoshone County woman accused in 2014 of suffocating her boyfriend’s 22-month-old child, Taylor succeeded in getting the trial moved to Kootenai County out of concern of seating an impartial jury. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2025 Lawson's attorneys, Robert Boyd and Kevin Coleman, said errors occurred in both the pre-trial and trial phases and that despite moving the case out of Nelson County, an impartial jury was unattainable. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 July 2025 Installing a Secretary of Labor and State Labor Commissioner committed to impartial enforcement, timely resolutions, and restoring public trust. Steve Hilton, Oc Register, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for impartial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial
Adjective
  • That’s the person who can integrate diverse expertise, promote equitable contributions, and cultivate trust.
    Jamil Zaki, Harvard Business Review, 15 Aug. 2025
  • School funding was made more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing state revenue on those needs, the release said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The pillow top cover is filled with a fine spiral fiber filling, which is held in place with quilted stitching that ensures equal distribution without bunching.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • No details have been shared about whether former San Diego Legion owner Ryan Patterson or RFC L.A. owner Pete Sickle are equal partners or one is the majority owner of the new club.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Start by agreeing on objective KPIs, such as retention or engagement, not just revenue.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Raising responsible kids is pretty much an objective win in most parents' books.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impartial. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impartial

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