impartiality
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of impartiality
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.
Vocabulary lists containing impartiality
Astronauts
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The Time Machine
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"The Federalist No. 10," Vocabulary from the argument
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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.
Needless to say, I can’t claim impartiality on this one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Four ethics experts told ProPublica that by accepting the tickets, Trusty and Carr had compromised the FCC’s impartiality and should not take part in any upcoming decision on Paramount’s proposed merger.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
However, French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont described Turk on Friday as " a voice of conscience" who demonstrated "rigor and impartiality" during his first term.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, however, described Turk as "a voice of conscience" who had demonstrated "rigor and impartiality" during his first term.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Aware of the rivalry between the two schools, employers searched for some middle ground of impartiality, fearful that any inadvertent slip might cause a mutiny from one half of the work force or the other.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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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.