tendentiousness
Definition
Noun: An intentional and controversial bias; the quality of being tendentious. It describes writing, speech, or actions that are not neutral but are deliberately slanted to promote a particular point of view, doctrine, or cause, often in a way that is unfair or argumentative.
Usage
This word is used to describe the biased nature of an argument, presentation, or piece of information. It implies a deliberate attempt to persuade or influence by presenting a one-sided perspective, often in a polemical or partisan manner. It is a formal term, typically used in academic, political, or journalistic criticism.
Examples
- The historian was criticized for the tendentiousness of her latest book, which ignored key facts to support her thesis.
- The article's tendentiousness was obvious, as it quoted only sources that agreed with its editorial stance.
- We must separate objective reporting from political tendentiousness.
Advanced Usage
- "to betray a tendentiousness": to reveal a biased slant.
- His supposedly neutral analysis betrays a clear tendentiousness in favor of corporate interests.
Variants and Related Words
- Tendentious (adj): Having or showing a deliberate tendency to promote a particular point of view; biased.
- The documentary was dismissed as tendentious propaganda.
- Tendentiously (adv): In a tendentious manner.
- The facts were presented tendentiously to mislead the public.
Synonyms
- Bias: Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group.
- Partiality: Unfair bias in favor of one thing or person compared to another.
- Partisanship: Prejudice in favor of a particular cause; bias.
- Polemical nature: The quality of being strongly critical or disputatious.
Antonyms
- Impartiality: Equal treatment of all rivals or disputants; fairness.
- Objectivity: The quality of being based on facts and not influenced by personal beliefs or feelings.
- Neutrality: The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict or disagreement.
Noun
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an intentional and controversial bias
