evenhanded

American  

[ee-vuhn-han-did] / ˈi vənˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. impartial; equitable.

   evenhanded justice.

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Other Word Forms

• evenhandedly adverb
• evenhandedness noun

Etymology

Origin of evenhanded

First recorded in 1595–1605; even ¹ + handed

Explanation

Evenhanded means fair to all sides. If your essay is evenhanded, it should look at both sides of an argument, without showing preference for one side or the other. When you talk about two opposing ideas, you often invoke the idea of hands. “On the one hand,” you begin, discussing the first idea, and then move on to discuss its opposite, starting in with, “On the other hand.” Evenhanded means treating both “hands” evenly. Of course, you're not really talking about hands — you're talking about sides of an arguments, or siblings splitting a cookie.

Example Sentences

What “The Wolf War” also does—and a lot of nonfiction TV doesn’t—is approach its subject in an honestly evenhanded, objective manner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

And even if you’ve been extremely reasonable and evenhanded, you’re ending in a place of disagreement.

From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025

It also boasts one of the most evenhanded depictions of queerness shown in superhero movies and TV series.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2025

Although tensions on the Middle East have ebbed and flowed, the successful Camp David negotiation won acclaim among Israelis and Arabs alike, who praised it as an evenhanded approach from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025

I'd go doubtin' the evenhanded jestice of Cherokee's faro game quicker than distrustin' you.'

From Wolfville Nights by Lewis, Alfred Henry

Related Words

• balanced
• equitable
• fair-minded
• impartial
• unbiased