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bias

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adverb

bias

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verb

as in to turn
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge bad reviews biased her against the movie, even though it starred one of her favorite actors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun bias contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bias are predilection, prejudice, and prepossession. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

Where would predilection be a reasonable alternative to bias?

While in some cases nearly identical to bias, predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

When can prejudice be used instead of bias?

The synonyms prejudice and bias are sometimes interchangeable, but prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

When is it sensible to use prepossession instead of bias?

While the synonyms prepossession and bias are close in meaning, prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bias
Noun
Tech corporations prioritize using our biases for their benefit, while dismissing the reinforcement of stereotypes as a cultural problem rather than a technological one. Sarah A. Bell, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025 Rights advocates have also raised concerns about Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias during the Israel-Gaza war. Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
So that won't bias my objective review of the facts. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025 For example, a language model may produce biased outputs in one language but not in another, or it may be biased against certain groups in one cultural context but not in another. Mani Padisetti, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bias
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bias
Noun
  • Reportedly, Jane Doe voluntarily dismissed her case with prejudice — meaning the suit is legally prevented from being refiled.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • According to the Purdue Exponent, the charges against Kristine were dismissed with prejudice, meaning she can’t be charged again for the same thing.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to Limon-Rocha, various life stressors—such as starting a new school, being bullied, losing a beloved pet, or having a family member with health issues—can all trigger perfectionist tendencies.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The tendency in the forecast has been for the front to set up across southeast portions of the Kansas City forecast area.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • The documentation details a combination of accelerometer and microphone sensors used to determine when the wearer’s hand is placed diagonally across the chest.
    Andrew Williams, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The space is tight, and tall people should be aware, though Natalia said when doing a floor workout, taller people lay diagonally.
    Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lisa Rinna turned Wednesday’s H&M & LA event in Los Angeles into a family affair, attending the event alongside her daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray Hamlin.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But the moment of flexing soon turned into a public apology and her taking accountability for the effect of the song.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • So, Hunt’s partiality for turtlenecks has now become the official look for player headshots over the past two decades.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • There should be no equivocation or the appearance of partiality.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tariffs are designed for a combination of reasons, including protecting domestic markets; inviting foreign investment; and becoming more effective using capabilities, inclinations, and talents in other parts of the world.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Pictures and video of the moment captured the overt display of partisanship in a contest for the state’s highest court.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 6 Apr. 2025
  • And what a nauseating display of blind partisanship by Mike Davis.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In an unprecedented move, our public schools handed out hundreds of thousands of devices to help more than 1 million students continue to safely learn online with their teachers and classmates.
    Dr. Mitchell Katz, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bias. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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