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 Young people themselves seem to want to have this more expansive, impartial information about reproduction. Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 21 Sep. 2025 Gray acknowledged the difficulty of securing an impartial jury in Utah County due to widespread media attention and emotional reactions. Amanda Castro hannah Parry joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 For a longer journey, Johnson is impartial to his Osprey Aether pack for its airscape back panels, floating lids, and signature Fit on the Fly adjustments. Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025 Our department is committed to a thorough and impartial review. Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impartial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial
Adjective
  • How can hospitals, clinics and health care workers make sure that breastfeeding support is available to everyone and is equitable?
    Ann Kellams, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Last season, with a more equitable split, Theodore kept up the same level of performance and production.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And will that move just equal deck chairs on the Titanic?
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Many products claim to fade wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, but claims don’t always equal results.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But objective wins — not subjective talent — determine who goes to the playoffs.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The present study set out to test whether harm was caused by those common pre-bed behaviors when measured with objective tools.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impartial. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impartial

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