isolation

[ahy-suh-ley-shuhn, is-uh-]

noun

1. an act or instance of isolating. isolating.

2. the state of being isolated. isolated.

3. the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.

   Synonyms: segregation

4. the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.

5. Psychoanalysis.,  a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.

6. Sociology.,  social isolation.

Other Word Forms

• anti-isolation adjective
• postisolation adjective
• reisolation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of isolation¹

First recorded in 1825–35; isolate + -ion

Synonym Study

See solitude.

Example Sentences

But there's another factor to bear in mind, in that Piastri is not driving in isolation.

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But in isolation the company has been able to maintain “relatively healthy credit performance” while expanding its lower-prime and sub-prime loan offerings.

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Aggrievement and isolation, perversely enough, became the glue that holds the community together.

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This, in turn, predicted loneliness, isolation and unhappiness.

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He said the interview had been a major contribution to the worsening of his parents' relationship and contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation before she died.

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Related Words

• confinement 
• desolation 
• remoteness www.thesaurus.com
• segregation 
• solitude