1
Core quality
Strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
Example
The report avoids partisan language.
partisan
/ˌpɑːtɪˈzæn/ · par-tih-ZANadjective
Strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
Use partisan to express this relationship precisely: strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
What partisan Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Partisan divisions prevented compromise.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The historian distinguishes evidence from partisan propaganda.
Use partisan Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The report avoids partisan language.
Partisan divisions prevented compromise.
The historian distinguishes evidence from partisan propaganda.
Precision Matters
Partisan overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
partisan
vs.Means strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
eclectic
Means drawing ideas, styles, or elements from a wide and diverse range of sources.
partisan
vs.Means strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
adversary
Means an opponent, rival, or enemy in a conflict, contest, debate, or struggle.
partisan
vs.Means strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
advocate
Means publicly support, recommend, or argue in favour of a cause, policy, or course of action.
partisan
vs.Means strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
propaganda
Means biased or misleading information deliberately spread to promote a political cause, viewpoint, or group.
Test partisan in Context
The account is strongly biased toward one political side.
1
Rather than assess both proposals fairly, the article offered a ___ defence of one party.