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unilaterally

American  
[yoo-nuh-lat-er-uh-lee] / ˌyu nəˈlæt ər ə li /

adverb

  1. involving, done by, or decided by only one person, side, party, or faction.

    Instead of bargaining with teachers and public service workers, the governor and the legislature have unilaterally reduced pension and health benefits.

Etymology

Origin of unilaterally

unilateral ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Securities and Exchange Commission decided to effectively allow companies to unilaterally block shareholder proposals.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

He had no right to unilaterally tear down part of the White House.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

The proposed seeks to prohibit doctors from unilaterally raising Maid with patients and banning its public advertising in healthcare facilities.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Its Commerce Ministry said Friday that the U.S. had no right to unilaterally determine whether a trading partner had overcapacity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Henry was furious with Dad for unilaterally quitting the band, especially since Mom had said he could still play shows.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

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.