Partial

easyNegative tone

PAR-shul

adjective

Definition

Existing only in part; incomplete; showing favoritism

Memory hook

PART-ial: only a PART of the whole, or favoring one PARTY over another.

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Word roots

parspart(Latin)

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Examples

The project received only partial funding.
The judge's decision seemed partial and unfair.

Test yourself

Fill in the blank with the right word:

The project received only ______ funding.
Show answer

partial

Synonyms

incompletebiasedprejudicedpartisan

Antonyms

completeimpartialunbiasedwhole

Categories

View all Incompleteness words

GRE Tip

Partial is a easy-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "incomplete" or "biased" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "complete".

Read: How to Memorize GRE Words That Actually Stick

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