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
- nonpartiality noun
- overpartiality noun
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.
Having Cannon presiding over this case “might create an appearance of partiality in the mind of the public,” Routh’s attorney said, according to CNN.
From Slate • Dec. 21, 2024
Last month, he suggested that Cannon's "partiality" would get her removed from the case.
From Salon • May 23, 2024
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the First Department unanimously affirmed Cohen’s decision in October 2020, ruling the Orioles failed to establish evident partiality in the second arbitration panel.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 1, 2023
He is the second judge to take charge of the investigation after a legal complaint against the partiality of his predecessor Fady Sawan saw him removed in February.
From Reuters • Dec. 7, 2021
In his play The Frogs, the conservative Aristophanes makes repeated sneering references to Euripides’ partiality for books.
From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro
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.
