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 My administration has acted swiftly and decisively to restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law starting at the FBI and the DOJ. NPR, 5 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for impartial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial
Adjective
  • The department is designed to ensure equitable access to quality education nationwide and enforces protections for students with disabilities, Its dismantling could be more costly for Trump-voting states than blue states, Axios' April Rubin has reported.
    Axios, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
  • McCourt proposes a more equitable arrangement, allowing creators to carry their followers seamlessly from platform to platform instead.
    Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Reciprocal tariffs are meant to place U.S. tariffs equal to those experienced by U.S. goods imported into that region.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Economic theory can reveal a lot about political behavior, including how a president enjoys enough support to wield a policy that, all things equal, costs Americans quite a bit of money.
    Bruce Yandle, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to pausing enforcement to collect objective data, Dr. Makary could direct the FDA to allow, if not encourage, independent testing of compounded drugs to assure their quality.
    Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • But by any objective measure, Gavi’s results have been extraordinary not only in terms of the projection of soft U.S. power, but also in terms of the preservation of the vital security interests of America and our allies.
    Seth Berkley, Time, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impartial. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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