unilateralism

[ yoo-nuh-lat-er-uh-liz-uhm ]

/ ˌyu nəˈlæt ər əˌlɪz əm /

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noun

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of unilateralism

First recorded in 1925–30; unilateral + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM unilateralism

u·ni·lat·er·al·ist, noun, adjective

Words nearby unilateralism

unify, unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, unijugate, unilateral, Unilateral Declaration of Independence, unilateralism, unilaterally, unilateral neglect, unilineal, unilinear, unilingual

How to use unilateralism in a sentence

No huge tax cuts for the rich; no repeal of Obamacare; no opposition to same-sex marriage; no wanton unilateralism; and so on.
The Case for Transformation|Michael Tomasky|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The criticisms of choice were Abbas's unilateralism and defiance of Israel and his U.S. benefactors.
American Jewish Organizations' Silence On Settlements|Daniel Sieradski|December 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Unilateralism is not a substitute, but could help that process along by disentangling Israel from the West Bank.
Does Rejectionism Matter?|Ali Gharib|September 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Not all unilateralism is new or constructive; the devil is and will always be in the details.
The Siren Call of Israeli Unilateralism|Lara Friedman|June 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Hoping for a change in Netanyahu or even for Israeli unilateralism—whatever one might think of its merits—is misguided.
Magical Thinking On Netanyahu|Jacob Silverman|June 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Cultural definitions for unilateralism

unilateralism

[ (yooh-nuh-lat-uhr-uh-liz-uhm) ]

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.)