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 Our belief that the public deserves an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary is part of our DNA. Muhammad U. Faridi, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025 In April, his attorneys filed a motion requesting that his trial be moved from Buffalo to New York City so it could be decided by an impartial, racially diverse jury. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025 The vice president would have been better advised to stand for fair and impartial maps in the Hoosier State and beyond. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025 Diamandis was enthusiastic about the injection, but hardly impartial; the treatment was about to be trialled on two hundred Fountain Life patients, including him. Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impartial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial
Adjective
  • For an equitable comparison, peer stock returns also reflect post-earnings one-day (1D) returns.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Christopher Sebastian Parker and Christopher Towler lead Black Insight Research, a research firm that specializes in seeking solutions to more equitable outcomes for the Black community.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The New York Federal Reserve’s measure of Global Supply Chain Pressure showed that July’s level of stress decreased, and is approximately now equal to the long-term average.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The rollbacks apply to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which often help people of color, LGBTQ students and low-income residents have equal access to educational opportunities.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By definition, an 'audit' must be neutral and objective.
    Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
  • At first look, naming wars after their location, participants, starting date or duration might appear to be an exercise in objective detachment.
    Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impartial. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impartial

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