unilateralism

American  

[yoo-nuh-lat-er-uh-liz-uhm] / ˌyu nəˈlæt ər əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. the advocacy or pursuit of a unilateral policy, especially in disarmament.

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unilateralism Cultural  

1. Action initiated or taken by a single nation rather than by two nations (see bilateralism) (see also bilateralism) or several (see multilateralism). For example, a nation might choose to disarm unilaterally in the hope that others will follow. (See recognition.)

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Other Word Forms

• unilateralist noun

Etymology

Origin of unilateralism

First recorded in 1925–30; unilateral + -ism

Explanation

Governments that believe in unilateralism think that they should wage war and enact foreign policy without consulting any other countries. When a country uses unilateralism, it refuses to involve other nations in its foreign affairs. If a government wages war on a neighboring country without the advice of any outside groups, allies, or nearby countries, it's adopting a policy of unilateralism. Any action described this way is completely one-sided, and the roots of the word unilateralism reflect this — uni means "one" in Latin, and lateralism comes from latus, or "side."

Example Sentences

What is driving alarm "is not as much the level of tariffs as it is the unilateralism," says Petros Mavroidis, a professor at Columbia Law School.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

"In an international context of growing protectionism and unilateralism, this agreement is a vote in favor of international trade as the engine of economic growth, with advantages for both blocs," he wrote on X.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday outlined Beijing’s plans to deepen its engagement with the United Nations in such sectors as artificial intelligence and culture, during a speech that rejected tariffs and unilateralism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

At the dawn of this century, the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, led to an instant escalation of presidential power and executive unilateralism.

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2024

In fact, the persecution has only made her more poisonously smug in her Android unilateralism.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2023