Forbidden Word (phrase): unconscious bias

biologic adj. 

1. not conscious; without awareness, sensation, or cognition.

2. temporarily devoid of consciousness.

3. not perceived at the level of awareness; occurring below the level of conscious thought.
   an unconscious impulse.

4. not consciously realized, planned, or done; without conscious volition or intent.
   an unconscious social slight.

5. not endowed with mental faculties.
   the unconscious stones.

biologic noun

Psychoanalysis.,  the unconscious, the part of the mind containing psychic material that is only rarely accessible to awareness but that has a pronounced influence on behavior.

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bias¹ adj 

1. a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned.
   The hiring manager was found to have shown bias against job applicants who wore less expensive clothing.
   The magazine’s bias is toward art rather than photography.
   We need to set aside our strong bias in favor of the idea and evaluate it logically.
   Synonyms: leaning, bent, proclivity, partiality, predilection, preconception, predisposition
   Antonyms: impartiality

2. unreasonably hostile feelings or opinions about a social group; prejudice.
   The show’s host has faced accusations of racial bias.

3. an oblique or diagonal line of direction, especially across a woven fabric.

4. Statistics.,  a systematic as opposed to random distortion of a statistic as a result of sampling procedure.

5. Electronics.,  the application of a steady voltage or current to an active device, such as a diode or transistor, to produce a desired mode of operation.

6. a high-frequency alternating current applied to the recording head of a tape recorder during recording in order to reduce distortion.

7. Lawn Bowling.
        a. a slight bulge or greater weight on one side of the ball or bowl.
        b. the curved course made by such a ball when rolled.

bias adj 

cut, set, folded, etc., diagonally.
This material requires a bias cut.
I used bias binding to finish the garment.

bias adv

in a diagonal manner; obliquely; slantingly.
Cut your material bias for extra stretch.

bias verb (used with object)

1. to cause to hold or exhibit a particular bias; to influence, especially unfairly.
   The defendant gave a tearful plea designed to bias the jury.
   The survey was heavily biased toward highly educated people.
   Synonyms: bend, predispose, dispose, incline

2. Electronics.,  to apply a steady voltage or current to (the input of an active device).

Bias² noun

flourished 570 b.c., Greek philosopher, born in Ionia.

Other Word Forms

• subbias noun
• superbias noun
• biased adjective

Word History and Origins

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unconscious bias

unconscious bias, noun

1. implicit bias.

2. deep, general patterns and shortcuts of cognitive processing that a person is unaware of and that underlie implicit bias.

Word History and Origins

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example sentences: unconscious bias

Unconscious bias itself is not illegal, but actions and decisions influenced by bias can lead to discrimination, which is illegal in many jurisdictions. It is important for organizations to have policies and practices in place to prevent and address discrimination resulting from unconscious bias.

Unconscious biases can occur at any time, but they are often most prominent in situations where quick judgments or decisions are made. This can happen during the hiring process, performance evaluations, promotions, and daily interactions among employees.

Unconscious bias can impact the workplace in various ways. It can lead to unequal treatment, hinder diversity and inclusion efforts, contribute to discrimination, reduce productivity and engagement, and pose legal and reputational risks for organizations.

Common types of unconscious biases in the workplace include gender bias, racial bias, age bias, confirmation bias, Halo effect, Horn effect, similarity bias, authority bias, beauty bias, and performance attribution bias.

Organizations can address unconscious bias by promoting education and awareness, developing inclusive policies, implementing diverse hiring practices, providing bias mitigation strategies, fostering inclusive leadership, and ensuring accountability and transparency in decision-making processes.

Individuals can address their own unconscious biases through self-reflection, education, empathy and perspective-taking, critical thinking, seeking diverse perspectives, building relationships, and committing to continued learning and growth.

Addressing unconscious bias can benefit organizations by fostering diversity and inclusion, improving decision-making processes, increasing employee engagement and satisfaction, fostering innovation and creativity, and boosting the organization’s reputation.

from — 12 Examples of unconscious bias & Ways to Overcome them. (n.d.). 

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November 2, 2025
Hudson Valley, New York

image: water © Holly Troy 2024

This is one phrase you can’t say in the new Trump Administration. See a comprehensive list at the Forbidden Words Project.