one-sided

adjective

one-sid·​ed ˈwən-ˈsī-dəd How to pronounce one-sided (audio)
1
a(1)
: having one side prominent : lopsided
(2)
: having or occurring on one side only
b
: limited to one side : partial
a one-sided interpretation
2
: unilateral
a one-sided decision
one-sidedly adverb
one-sidedness noun

Examples of one-sided in a Sentence

my neighbor's account of how the feud got started was somewhat one-sided
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Besides dyspnea, sharp and one-sided chest pain is typical.8 Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction to a trigger (e.g., food, medicine, or insect stings). Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025 Two years after defying expectations in Istanbul — pushing Manchester City hard in a final many had predicted would be the most one-sided in history — Inter, gallingly, in the end found themselves on the wrong end of the most one-sided final ever. James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 2025 While effort is essential in any relationship, effort that feels one-sided can lead to emotional burnout. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 Even before the cutoff, any benefits have been one-sided in favor of India. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 May 2025 The deciding set was even more one-sided with Musetti clearly struggling with an injury, even after getting treatment at 0-3 down. George Ramsay, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025 Edwards was dominated and submitted in the fourth round by Sean Brady in a one-sided main event of a London crowd that was short on action. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 Similarly, pausing attacks on energy infrastructure is clearly more advantageous to Russia, as is demilitarizing the Black Sea, given Russia’s dependence on the waterway and the Russian Navy’s extreme – and one-sided – vulnerability to Ukrainian attacks. Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025 Lots of one-sided books have addressed fossil versus renewable energies but a balanced view is rare. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-sided was circa 1793

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Cite this Entry

“One-sided.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-sided. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

one-sided

adjective
one-sid·​ed
ˈwən-ˈsīd-əd
1
a
: having one side more developed
b
: having or happening on one side only
2
: favoring one side : partial
a one-sided view of the case
one-sidedly adverb
one-sidedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on one-sided

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