Meaning & use

bias

noun·Academic

An unfair tendency to favor or oppose a particular person, group, or idea, often without a fair basis.

See it in a sentence

The study was designed to reduce bias by keeping researchers unaware of who received the treatment.

He tried to set aside his bias and judge each candidate on merit alone.

A note on using this word

"Bias" is often unconscious; use "prejudice" when the unfair attitude is more deliberate or hostile.

Words with a similar meaning

prejudicepartiality

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

fairnessobjectivity

Another way to use it

2. verb

To cause someone to have an unfair preference or to influence a result unfairly.

Leading questions can bias survey results before respondents even realize it.

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