bias 1 of 3

noun

ˈbī-əs How to pronounce bias (audio)
Definition of biasnext
1
as in prejudice
an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities he has a powerful bias towards sentimentality, which comes through even in his grittier stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing from her youth she revealed a strong bias toward a life of the mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bias

2 of 3

adverb

as in diagonally
in a line or direction running from corner to corner made of fabric cut bias

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bias

3 of 3

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
In fact, Smith has long argued that the NFL has overlooked Black candidates at those positions because of racial bias. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Unfortunately, the longstanding bias continues, producing worse outcomes for women. — Edin Deljkic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
The ad campaign quickly triggered a wave of comments siding with the show, a contrast to complaints earlier in the FCC proceeding that complained that The View was biased. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 June 2026 These three practices should not only help organizations reduce the competence penalty against women who use AI but also promote fairness in all contexts where stereotypes may bias workplace evaluations. — Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bias
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bias
  1. prejudice
  2. tendency
  3. diagonally
  4. turn
  5. partiality
  6. inclination
  7. partisanship
  8. devices
Noun
  • For much of the past several decades, overt expressions of racial prejudice became increasingly socially unacceptable in mainstream public life.
    — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Ableism is the everyday prejudice — sometimes subtle, sometimes overt — that treats people with disabilities as inconvenient, less competent, or less deserving of respect and opportunity.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of prejudice
Noun
  • These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • This is largely because about half of autistic children have a tendency to wander away from safe environments.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2026
Definition of tendency
Adverb
  • The route then heads north into France, travels the coast up to Bordeaux, and then cuts diagonally across the country through Bergerac, Vichy, Nevers, and up to Le Markstein.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The light passed through it and slashed diagonally across the hallway.
    — Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
Definition of diagonally
Verb
  • Some critics on social media counter that the gatherings risk turning spirituality into spectacle, performance and commodity all at once.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of turn
Noun
  • For instance, traditional print outlets value such tenets as balance, impartiality, gatekeeping, and prepublication verification, whereas digital products often emphasize immediacy, transparency, partiality, and postpublication correction.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
  • Schumer's partiality to a classic one-piece is well-documented.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of partiality
Noun
  • Spiritual progress requires fighting against the natural downward inclination of our souls—though fighting, oddly, is also the problem.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Getty Choosing a college major has always been a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries.
    — Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • However, the group has previously denied allegations of partisanship.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Conservative Justices, bristling at insinuations of bias or partisanship, like to point to the significant share of cases that are decided unanimously.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of partisanship
Noun
  • The Entertainment Thanks to high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi available on JSX flights, travelers are free to stream and browse directly on their personal devices.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • As more Florida seniors use wearables like continuous glucose monitors, remote blood pressure monitors, smartwatches and fitness trackers, concern grows about who has access to the data these devices collect.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of devices

Phrases Containing bias

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beyonds
bias
bias crime
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Cite this Entry

“Bias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bias. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bias for Spanish Speakers

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