one-sided

American  

[wuhn-sahy-did] / ˈwʌnˈsaɪ dɪd /

adjective

1. considering but one side of a matter or question; partial or unfair.

   a one-sided judgment.

2. with one party, contestant, side, etc., vastly superior; unbalanced; unequal.

   a one-sided fight.

3. existing or occurring on one side only.

4. having but one side, or but one developed or finished side.

5. having one side larger or more developed than the other.

6. Law. involving the action of one person only.

7. having the parts all on one side, as an inflorescence.

---

one-sided British  

adjective

1. considering or favouring only one side of a matter, problem, etc

2. having all the advantage on one side

3. larger or more developed on one side

4. having, existing on, or occurring on one side only

5. another term for unilateral

6. denoting a surface on which any two points can be joined without crossing an edge See Möbius strip

---

Other Word Forms

• one-sidedness
  noun
• one-sidedly
  adverb

---

Etymology

Origin of one-sided

First recorded in 1805–15

---

Explanation

One-sided means only showing a single side of a complicated issue, or being biased. A newspaper article is one-sided if it presents just one opinion about a controversial topic. When television news gives a one-sided version of the facts, it's impossible for a viewer to get a clear picture of what's going on, especially when most political subjects have so many differing opinions. Another, much less controversial meaning of the adjective one-sided is simply "having only one side." You might be pleased to realize that your math test paper is one-sided, with questions only on the front.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

one-sided

"Japan, the European Union, and Germany have all come to realise that we must reduce one-sided dependencies -- whether in our supply chains or regarding raw materials," Merz said alongside Takaichi.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

I’ve seen Tanden get into a headline-making spat with progressive blogger Matt Bruenig; I’ve even watched her carry on a one-sided vendetta against Susan Sarandon.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

"I'm not in favour of a one-sided presentation of things from an artist," Jaye, 48, said.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

Anytime you feel as if a co-worker is spinning a false narrative, it helps to have evidence that shows what they are claiming is, at the very least, one-sided.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 29, 2026

Mom launched into a one-sided conversation about her work stuff, but my worried mind struggled to tune in.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• discriminatory
• partisan
• unequal
• unfair
• unjust

---