biased
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for biased, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unfairly favoring one side; showing prejudice.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Formed from "bias" plus the "-ed" ending.
Full origin of biased →Frequently asked questions
What does “biased” mean?
The word “biased” means unfairly favoring one side; showing prejudice. In plain terms, leaning unfairly toward one side, whether in opinion or in the odds of an outcome.
How do you pronounce “biased”?
“Biased” is pronounced BEYE-uhst (/ˈbaɪəst/ in IPA).
How do you use “biased” in a sentence?
Here is “biased” used in a sentence: “The article was clearly biased against the new policy.”
What part of speech is “biased”?
“Biased” is an adjective.
Is “biased” a common word?
“Biased” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “biased” have?
“Biased” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unfairly favoring one side; showing prejudice.
What is the difference between biased and unfair?
Biased specifically means favoring one side due to prejudice or a fixed leaning, while unfair is a broader term for any situation that lacks justice or equal treatment, regardless of cause. A decision can be unfair without being biased if it results from an honest mistake rather than favoritism.
How is biased used differently in statistics compared to everyday speech?
In everyday speech, biased describes a person or opinion that unfairly favors one side, such as a biased judge. In statistics and computing, biased describes data or a system that is weighted so some outcomes are more likely than others, as with a biased coin or biased sample.
Can something be biased without a person intending it to be?
Yes, bias can occur unintentionally, such as when a survey or algorithm is biased because of how it was designed, even if no one meant to favor a particular outcome. This is common in the statistical sense of the word, where weighting rather than intent creates the bias.