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Synonyms

biased

American  
[bahy-uhst] / ˈbaɪ əst /
especially British, biassed

adjective

  1. having or showing bias or prejudice.

    They gave us a biased report on immigration trends.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of biased

First recorded in 1605–15; bias + -ed 2

Explanation

When a skirt is cut at an angle, with one side higher than the other, it has a bias cut. Being biased is kind of lopsided too: a biased person favors one side or issue over another. While biased can just mean having a preference for one thing over another, it also is synonymous with "prejudiced," and that prejudice can be taken to the extreme. Sometimes a person is so biased, or is leaning so far in one direction, that it's hard to see the other position, creating unfairness in an argument or decision. Often, though, it's used more lightly: "My mom makes the best brownies in the world, but I might be a little biased."

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Vocabulary lists containing biased

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Biased reports, based on unreliable evidence, cannot make up for truth," it added.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

One is Lindy West’s 2013 Jezebel piece she wrote in the wake of debating Jim Norton concerning comedy’s role in perpetuating rape culture on the canceled FX series “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell.”

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2024

Biased sample a fallacy of weak induction that draws a conclusion using evidence that is biased in some way.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

In a 2012 performance on the FX series “Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell,” the comedian Hari Kondabolu celebrated the growing number of Indian-Americans on television while singling out Azaria for an obsolete portrayal.

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2020

Biased by jealous prejudice, Ingred's hastily-formed judgment reversed itself.

From A Popular Schoolgirl by Salmon, Balliol

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