unilateralism

noun

uni·lat·er·al·ism ˌyü-ni-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm

: a policy of taking unilateral action (as in international affairs) regardless of outside support or reciprocity

also : advocacy of such a policy

unilateralist

ˌyü-ni-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-list

noun or adjective

Examples of unilateralism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The choice before voters is stark: international leadership built around long-standing alliances, or disruptive unilateralism with a strange fondness for authoritarians. —

Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024 Although some Americans favor greater unilateralism and isolationism, there is in fact broad support for the pillars of the Biden administration’s strategy. —

Antony J. Blinken, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 In similar fashion, Trump’s brand of isolationism is motivated more by unilateralism than by a search for strategic detachment. —

Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024 Trump’s own judicial appointees, many of whom have been old-school conservatives, have been willing to say no to him, and many of them have a doctrinal aversion to presidential unilateralism. —

Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for unilateralism

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unilateralism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.