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

Examples of impartial in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web The other side: Ahn said resonance can also bridge gaps between groups, and AI has the power to cut through the noise of misinformation by serving as an impartial fact-checker when wielded responsibly. Justin L. MacK, Axios, 24 Sep. 2024 Human Rights Watch has called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the incidents. Willem Marx, NPR, 20 Sep. 2024 Judge accepted the defense’s survey results showing that locals may not be impartial in the case. Cheri Mossburg, CNN, 9 Sep. 2024 Our responsibility as a news organization has been and will be to report on the incident with fair and impartial coverage. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impartial 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impartial
Adjective
  • Experts appeared on a series of four panel discussions, addressing issues like equitable access to health care, women’s health, the impact of emerging technologies, and health policy changes.
    Simmone Shah, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
  • As a result, a small group of ultra-wealthy individuals can have a disproportionate effect on electoral outcomes and the political landscape, raising concerns about the equitable representation of all citizens in the democratic process.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • From commute-to-cocktail, this hero handbag is equal parts versatile and stylish—two non-negationables when making a new luxury purchase.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Smith’s original movie is a clear product of his distinct worldview but was embraced and criticized in equal measure by a community that expected more from it.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Even when leaders aim to be objective, subtle biases can still influence decision-making.
    David Hengartner, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
  • Angelica Perez and Betsy Bush — two students in Professor Mary-Beth Moylan’s Initiative Seminar at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge Law School — will offer an objective analysis of the 10 propositions.
    Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near impartial

Cite this Entry

“Impartial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impartial. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on impartial

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