unilateralism

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

/ ˌyu nəˈlæt ər əˌlɪz əm /

noun

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

Nearby words

unilateral anesthesia, unilateral declaration of independence, unilateral hemianopsia, unilateral hermaphroditism, unilateral neglect, unilateralism, unilineal, unilinear, unilingual, uniliteral, unillusioned

Origin of unilateralism

First recorded in 1925–30; unilateral + -ism

Related forms

u·ni·lat·er·al·ist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unilateralism

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

“Unilateralism has never worked,” said Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian activist and legislator.
Former Israeli Security Chief Pushes for Unilateral Withdrawal|R.M. Schneiderman|March 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Culture 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.)