impartial

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpär-shəl How to pronounce impartial (audio)
Definition of impartialnext
as in equitable
marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias an impartial evaluation of the job applicant's qualifications that does not consider age, gender, or race

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Winners were selected by a panel of impartial judges from the tri-county area based on the finalists’ dedication to Broward County and their effect on the community. —Robyn A. Friedman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2025 What happened to being committed to the impartial pursuit of justice, without regard to political affiliation or motivation and without fear or favor? —Peter Arbeeny, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025 The plaintiffs argue that this directive undermines the FEC's bipartisan structure, established to ensure impartial enforcement of federal campaign finance laws. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 All the negro asks is justice—a fair and impartial trial in the courts of the country. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impartial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial
  1. equitable
  2. equal
  3. objective
Adjective
  • This is still hardly equitable, but women have made some gains.
    — Kweilin Ellingrud, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In the book Boundaries & Protection, clean relations refers to relationships that have a fair, equitable, and open exchange.
    — Ellen Choi, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of equitable
Adjective
  • Our foundational document, held and displayed in the National Archives building on the National Mall, insists that all men are created equal and rails against the tyranny of despots and kings.
    — Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of equal
Adjective
  • Compared to controls, the exercise group experienced significant improvements in subjective sleep quality as measured by surveys and objective sleep quality via physiological parameters.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers a free questionnaire that provides people with an objective picture of their habits, participants receive help setting limits and identifying what drives their urge to drink.
    — Kristen Mascia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of objective

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Cite this Entry

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

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