partisanship

American  

[pahr-tuh-zuhn-ship, -suhn] / ˈpɑr tə zənˌʃɪp, -sən /

Rarely partisanry

noun

1. support of a person, group, party, or cause, especially when seen as biased or emotional: I found myself hoping that the astronomical community would leave Pluto’s planetary status as it was and began following the debate, although my partisanship didn’t extend to letter writing.

   Regardless of the panelists’ political leanings or partisanship, all political topics will be considered for discussion.

   I found myself hoping that the astronomical community would leave Pluto’s planetary status as it was and began following the debate, although my partisanship didn’t extend to letter writing.

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Etymology

Origin of partisanship

partisan ¹ ( def. ) + -ship ( def. )

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Explanation

Your partisanship is your tendency to support a particular group, cause, or viewpoint over another. While partisanship is a good quality to have if you're campaigning or rallying for a political candidate — because you believe so strongly in the person — there are some times when partisanship isn't appropriate. A judge, for example, should be neutral and not take sides, and might be accused of partisanship if she seems to favor one cause or political party. The word comes from the early Italian partezan or partigiano, "member of a faction," with its root of parte, "part or party."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

partisanship

Ms. Ferrer, who was born in Cuba and raised in the U.S., writes history above political partisanship and refuses “the binary interpretations imposed from on high in Washington and Havana and Miami.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Wells, took up the Rueggs’ cause, signing petitions and organizing an overseas publicity campaign designed to embarrass Chiang’s government for partisanship in its handling of the case.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Federal prosecutors in particular have historically sought to avoid the appearance of political partisanship and rarely taken aim at elected officials over policy matters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

In a moment when partisanship dominates coverage, his passing invites reflection on the role of law, accountability, and the endurance of civic norms.

From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2026

There was a link of understanding between them more important than affection or partisanship.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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Related Words

• bigotry
• favoritism
• intolerance
• prejudice
• tendency
• unfairness

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