What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
invidious
Example
It would be invidious to choose only one student for the scholarship. [invidious: adjective]
Example
The manager's invidious decision to promote his friend over more qualified candidates caused tension in the workplace. [invidious: adjective]
partial
Example
The referee was accused of being partial to the home team. [partial: adjective]
Example
The judge recused himself from the case because he was partial to the defendant. [partial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Partial is more commonly used than invidious in everyday language. Partial is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while invidious is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between invidious and partial?
Both invidious and partial can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, invidious may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage and stronger negative connotation.
