impartial

[im-pahr-shuhl]

adjective

1. not partial or biased; fair; just.

   an impartial judge.

   Synonyms: equitable, unprejudiced, unbiased
   Antonyms: biased

impartial

/ ɪmˈpɑːʃəl /

adjective

1. not prejudiced towards or against any particular side or party; fair; unbiased

Other Word Forms

• impartiality noun
• impartialness noun
• impartially adverb
• pseudoimpartial adjective
• quasi-impartial adjective
• unimpartial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impartial¹

First recorded in 1585–95; im- ² + partial

Synonym Study

See fair ¹.

Example Sentences

And beyond that, can a military lawyer — trained and bound to follow orders — really act as an impartial judge in proceedings where the administration’s wish to deport is clearly known?

From Los Angeles Times

"Being a safety steward, I'm supposed to be impartial - but how could I be last night?" he says, with a glint in his eye.

From BBC

These statements are presented as evidence of her unfitness for a role requiring impartial application of justice.

From Los Angeles Times

And whether those investigations will be impartial is far from clear.

From Los Angeles Times

Trena Turner, a pastor in Stockton and fellow commissioner, said she’s tremendously proud of the commission’s work and believes its impartial approach to political line-drawing is a model the rest of America should embrace.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• candid 
• detached 
• disinterested 
• dispassionate 
• equitable 
• evenhanded 
• fair 
• fair-minded 
• neutral 
• nonpartisan 
• objective 
• open-minded 
• unbiased 
• unprejudiced