Vocabulary in context
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Partisan
A strong, biased supporter of a party or cause; as an adjective, describing biased, one-sided allegiance to a party or faction.
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Imagine This
Imagine a town hall where a speaker loudly cheers for their party, dismisses opposing views as 'the enemy,' and a journalist notes the clear, one-sided coverage.
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Sounds Like
PART-uh-zÉn
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Looks Like
Resembles the root 'part' and is closely related to 'party' in political contexts; visually similar to 'partial'.
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Remember This
Partisan comes from the Latin pars (part) and has long referred to a member or advocate of a party or faction; related noun form is partisanship.
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Other Forms
partisanshipnoun
nonpartisanadjective
partisanismnoun
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Connect With
bias, prejudice, loyalty, faction, sectarianism, propaganda, impartiality, objectivity
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Note
Use 'partisan' to describe bias tied to a party or cause. Use 'nonpartisan' to describe neutrality. Be careful not to imply a general, non-political bias when you mean political bias (context matters).
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The senator's partisan stance made it difficult to pass bipartisan legislation.
- A partisan news outlet will present data to support its favored candidate.
Synonyms
biasedprejudicedpartialone-sidedfactional
Antonyms
neutralimpartialnonpartisanobjectiveunbiased
Etymology
From Latin pars, part- meaning 'part,' via Old French partisan and Italian partigiano; originally referred to a soldier attached to a party or faction, later extended to a person who strongly supports one party or cause.
Mnemonic
PART IS AN ALLY: Remember that a partisan is PART of a party's crew, an ALLY who is loyal to that side.
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Ostentatious
adjectiveCharacterized by or given to pretentious, showy display designed to attract attention; flashy and conspicuous.
Jaunty
adjectiveCarefree; lively and self-confident in a stylish, somewhat playful way.
Haphazard
adjectiveLacking any obvious plan or method; done or organized in a random, haphazard way.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Bias
nounA preference or inclination that prevents impartial judgment; a prejudice or leaning toward or against a person, group, or idea.
Sovereign
noun and adjectiveA sovereign is a supreme ruler (noun) or, as an adjective, something possessing ultimate power or independence, such as a sovereign state.
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