partiality
Americannoun
plural
partialities-
the state or character of being partial.
-
a favorable bias or prejudice.
the partiality of parents for their own children.
- Synonyms:
- favoritism
-
a special fondness, preference, or liking (usually followed by to orfor ).
a partiality for country living.
- Synonyms:
- predilection, bent, inclination, leaning
- Antonyms:
- dislike
noun
-
favourable prejudice or bias
-
(usually foll by for) liking or fondness
-
the state or condition of being partial
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of partiality
1375–1425; late Middle English parcialite < Medieval Latin partiālitās. See partial, -ity
Explanation
Partiality is the habit of favoring something — taking its part. If your parents always seem to let your little sister off the hook while you get grounded, you could accuse them of partiality in their parenting. They favor your sister over you. Partiality is like bias. It means that your favorite person, type of food, or way of operating tends to get priority when you’re making up your mind. A synonym for partiality is favoritism. For this reason, anyone who’s not directly benefiting from your partiality will not appreciate it. It’s unfair!
Vocabulary lists containing partiality
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
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The Federalist Papers, No. 10 by James Madison
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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.
Partiality or inequality in deciding whom to prosecute and how to punish invites tyranny.
From The Guardian • Feb. 16, 2020
"Partiality" is thinking too highly of anyone because of the love we bear him.
From Ethics — Part 3 by Elwes, R. H. M. (Robert Harvey Monro)
Partiality is properly the understanding's judging according to the inclination of the will and affections, and not according to the exact truth of things, or the merits of the cause.—South.
From Pearls of Thought by Ballou, Maturin Murray
I think I can discover your Motive and your old Partiality for me.
From The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 by Cushing, Harry Alonzo
Partiality — too much Love to a Sect, — to the Ancients or Moderns.
From The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems by Pope, Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
