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Synonyms

impartiality

American  
[im-pahr-shee-al-i-tee] / ɪmˌpɑr ʃiˈæl ɪ ti /
Also impartialness

noun

  1. the quality of not being biased or prejudiced; fairness.

    We selected the debate moderators based on their reputations for integrity and impartiality.


Etymology

Origin of impartiality

impartial ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Explanation

Impartiality is a quality of not being biased in one direction or another. Submissions for a school writing contest might be anonymous, to ensure the judges' impartiality. Impartiality is important in legal proceedings, and jury members are screened to make sure they don't have a preconceived opinion that would sway their decision. If you're partial, you have a strong preference for someone or something — whether you're partial to chocolate ice cream or partial to cats. Impartiality, on the other hand, is a neutral, objective feeling. Your culinary impartiality makes you an ideal dining companion; you don't care whether you have Indian food or pizza.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing impartiality

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.

Impartiality is hugely important but so too is providing a service that people pay for through their licence fee.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2023

In her proposal, Harrison cited discriminatory calls outlined in Berkeley Police Review Commission’s 2017 “To Achieve Fairness and Impartiality: Report and Recommendations” report.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2022

Impartiality here was reduced to a kind of performance, in which a journalist’s professional duty is to talk as if they are neutral on a question, no matter what the truth may be.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2021

Impartiality is still a value worth defending in mainstream news coverage.

From Washington Post • Jan. 30, 2019

Impartiality has always been considered as the most essential quality of the historian.

From The Psychology of Revolution by Le Bon, Gustave