English Reference
Noun

partisanship

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈpɑɹtəzənˌʃɪp/ UK /pˈɑːtɪsənʃˌɪp/ par·ti·san·ship UK spelling partisanships

n.strong support for a specific political party or group. It often makes people care more about their own side than about what is fair for everyone.

n.strong support for a particular political party, faction, or cause. Often implies a lack of impartiality or an unwillingness to consider alternative viewpoints.


SIMPLE

The debate was ruined by the extreme partisanship of the candidates.

CONTEXTUAL

The committee's decision was criticized for being driven by partisanship rather than objective evidence.

COMPLEX

While some argue that partisanship is a necessary feature of democratic competition, others fear it is eroding the public's trust in the very institutions it is meant to serve.

For one thing, despite its reported demise as a victim of polarization and more recent bare-knuckle partisanship, bipartisanship still produces many significant legislative agreements in Congress.

The Conversation· 3 Sept 2026

The 1920s weren’t devoid of partisanship, graft and scandal.

The Conversation· 7 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated