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one-sided

/ˌwʌn ˌˈsaɪdɪd/
/wənˈsaɪdɪd/
IPA guide

One-sided means only showing a single side of a complicated issue, or being biased. A newspaper article is one-sided if it presents just one opinion about a controversial topic.

When television news gives a one-sided version of the facts, it's impossible for a viewer to get a clear picture of what's going on, especially when most political subjects have so many differing opinions. Another, much less controversial meaning of the adjective one-sided is simply "having only one side." You might be pleased to realize that your math test paper is one-sided, with questions only on the front.

Definitions of one-sided
  1. adjective
    favoring one person or side over another
    partial
    showing favoritism
  2. adjective
    not reversible or capable of having either side out
    synonyms: nonreversible
  3. adjective
    involving only one part or side
    synonyms: unilateral
    one-party
    determined by a single party
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘one-sided'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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