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Synonyms

isolating

American  
[ahy-suh-ley-ting, is-uh-] / ˈaɪ səˌleɪ tɪŋ, ˈɪs ə- /

adjective

Linguistics.
  1. pertaining to or noting a language, as Vietnamese, that uses few or no bound forms and in which grammatical relationships are indicated chiefly through word order.


isolating British  
/ ˈaɪsəˌleɪtɪŋ /

adjective

  1. linguistics another word for analytic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of isolating

First recorded in 1855–60; isolat(e) + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While it now makes up most of her income, she says working from her phone can feel "isolating" and financially "inconsistent".

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

The internet’s vast expanse, once seen as welcoming, is horrifically isolating.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

That point is especially important for vulnerable teenagers whose offline environments may be isolating or hostile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Many Americans, research shows, find nuclear family structures isolating and insufficient, with some choosing to delay or avoid marriage.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

At a time when the country is increasingly integrated racially, the rich are isolating themselves more and more.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times