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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.

isolationism British  
/ ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

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

  2. an attitude favouring such a policy

"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
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.”)

Other Word Forms

  • anti-isolationism noun
  • isolationist noun

Etymology

Origin of isolationism

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

Compare meaning

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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.

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

From BBC

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

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

After the World War One, the US left Europe and returned to isolationism.

From BBC

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

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.