noun

neutrality

/njuːˈtræləti/ · say it: noo·TRAL·uh·tee

refusing to take sides in a conflict

In Politics & Diplomacy

In more detail

1. (noun) the state of not supporting either side in a conflict or disagreement

2. (noun) the quality of being fair and not favoring one person or group over another

3. (noun) the policy of a country that does not take sides in a war or political dispute between other countries

Examples

1. The referee must maintain neutrality during the game.
2. A judge should approach each case with complete neutrality.
3. Switzerland has a policy of neutrality and does not join military alliances.

How to use neutrality

Neutrality describes the state or policy of remaining impartial and uninvolved, commonly used in political, legal, and interpersonal contexts. It emphasizes an absence of preference or allegiance rather than active mediation. The term can suggest both moral fairness and strategic non-involvement, depending on context.

Common phrases

maintain neutrality
strict neutrality
political neutrality
claim neutrality
neutrality in conflict

Synonyms

impartiality · objectivity · non-alignment · fairness · disinterestedness

Opposites

bias · partisanship · favoritism

Word family

neutral (adjective) · neutrally (adverb) · neutralize (verb) · neutralization (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse neutrality with indifference or apathy, but neutrality specifically means taking no side in a dispute, not necessarily caring nothing about the outcome.

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