Synonyms

isolation

American

[ahy-suh-ley-shuhn, is-uh-] / ˌaɪ səˈleɪ ʃən, ˌɪs ə- /

noun

an act or instance of isolating. isolating.
the state of being isolated. isolated.
the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.

Synonyms:

segregation
the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.
Psychoanalysis. a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.
Sociology. social isolation.

Related Words

See solitude.

Other Word Forms

anti-isolation adjective
postisolation adjective
reisolation noun

Etymology

Origin of isolation

First recorded in 1825–35; isolate + -ion

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.

The first myth Mr. Newman challenges is the romantic notion that isolation breeds originality.

From The Wall Street Journal

As early as 1854, they displayed their strength before Commodore Matthew Perry, sent by the United States to secure Japan's diplomatic and commercial opening after two centuries of isolation.

From Barron's

The government and military reject claims he is being held in isolation.

From BBC

Unlike many other hostages, he was held almost entirely in isolation.

From BBC

It argues smartphones have "changed the shape of childhood" over the past 15 years and that parents often feel torn between allowing phone access or risking social isolation for their children.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023