isolationism

American  

[ahy-suh-ley-shuh-niz-uhm, is-uh-] / ˌaɪ səˈleɪ ʃəˌnɪz əm, ˌɪs ə- /

noun

1. the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.

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isolationism British  

/ ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a policy of nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international affairs

2. an attitude favouring such a policy

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isolationism Cultural  

1. The doctrine that a nation should stay out of the disputes and affairs of other nations. The United States practiced a policy of isolationism until World War I and did not pursue an active international policy until after World War II. (See “entangling alliances with none.”)

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Other Word Forms

• anti-isolationism
  noun
• isolationist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of isolationism

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; isolation + -ism

Compare meaning

How does isolationism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• isolationism vs. interventionism
• isolationism vs. internationalism

Explanation

A nation practicing isolationism stays out of relations with other countries and concentrates on its own business at home. The United States tried to maintain a policy of isolationism — staying out of other countries’ politics — until World War I and even beyond. But World War II and the Cold War ended that. The world keeps shrinking, and governments find it difficult to practice isolationism. Nowadays, nations find they have to get involved in other countries' problems, sometimes to protect their own interests and sometimes for humanitarian reasons.

Example Sentences

Cato’s foreign policy ideas tended toward isolationism, even at the height of the Cold War, which made it largely irrelevant in those debates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Though, it denies this demonstrates a move towards "isolationism".

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

But as he wrote about the forces at play, such as AI, climate change, and isolationism, “it became clear that they might actually generate instability rather than stability.”

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

In 2026, the men’s World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Mexico and Canada, will further ratify the end of America’s sporting isolationism.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025

Her letter failed because she couldn’t conceive of the profundity of your problem—she couldn’t fathom the pressures brought to bear upon you because of environment, intellectual frustration and a growing tendency toward isolationism.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• alienation
• apathy
• callousness
• carelessness
• disdain
• disinterest
• disregard
• inattention
• inertia
• insensitivity
• lack
• negligence
• nonchalance