Words / C1

paht-i-ZAN/ˌpɑːtɪˈzæn/

Partisan means strongly, often unfairly, for one side: a partisan report, partisan politics. Also a noun (a resistance fighter). Biased is everyday; one-sided is close. Partial (this batch) can mean biased too, but partisan is political/team. Do not call a methods disagreement partisan unless a camp is in play.

Meaning

Strongly supporting one party, group, or view, often unfairly.

Examples

• “A partisan press note named rivals and skipped the shared error.”
• “A partisan press note named rivals and skipped the shared computational error.”
• “Biased is everyday. A partisan (noun) in history is a guerrilla. Partial to chocolate is fondness, not politics. A stats dispute can be technical, not partisan.”

Good to know

One-sided; party-line. Everyday: biased. Noun: a partisan (fighter). Contrast: partial (incomplete / fond of). Technical disagreement ≠ partisan.

Near in meaning

biased

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