partisan
PAR-tih-zuhn
/ˈpɑːrtəzən/
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person; prejudiced in favor of a particular cause.
Partisan often implies an uncritical or excessively loyal adherence to a group or ideology, leading to bias against others.
The story behind the word. The word 'partisan' comes from the Italian 'partigiano,' meaning 'a supporter of a party,' which itself derives from Latin 'pars,' meaning 'part.' It originally referred to a soldier who was part of an irregular military force, often fighting for a specific cause or faction. Later, it broadened to describe anyone who strongly supports a particular party or cause, often with an accompanying bias against others.
Word relationships
- biased: Having or showing an unfair tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others.
- factional: Relating to or characteristic of a small organized dissenting group within a larger one.
- sectarian: Denoting or concerning a sect or sects; often implying narrow-mindedness or bigotry.
- impartial: Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.
- objective: Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.
- neutral: Not supporting or helping either side in a conflict or disagreement.
Commonly confused with
- supporter: A supporter simply backs a cause; a partisan does so with strong, often biased, allegiance.
Word family
- partisanship (noun): Prejudice in favor of a particular cause; bias.
Collocations
- partisan politics
- partisan divide
- partisan media
- fiercely partisan
- avoid partisan
Example sentences
- "The cable news channel was criticized for its overtly partisan commentary, which alienated viewers seeking balanced reporting." Describing political media.
- "During the war, partisan groups operated behind enemy lines, fiercely loyal to their cause." In a historical context.
Memory hook
A 'PARTISAN' person takes a 'PART' and sticks to it, no matter what. Strong side-taker
When not to use
Do not use 'partisan' to describe someone who is simply a member of a political party; it implies a strong, often biased, allegiance.
Fun facts
- In military history, 'partisans' were often guerrilla fighters operating behind enemy lines.
- The term 'non-partisan' is used to describe something that is not biased towards any political party, like a non-partisan election.
Explore more words
partisanship, sectarian, bigotry, unbiased, nonpartisan, impartial
Also appears in
- Political Science & Governance → Political Ideologies
- Political Science & Governance → Democratic Theory & Representation
- Media, Journalism & Publishing → Editorial & Opinion Writing
- Military Science & Warfare → Guerrilla Warfare & Insurgency
- Military Science & Warfare → Paramilitary & Militia Groups
- Political Science & Governance → Elections & Voting Systems
- Political Science & Governance → Pressure Groups & Lobbying
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