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.

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Etymology

Origin of unilaterally

unilateral ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Doing something unilaterally means it's done without the agreement or participation of other people it might affect. A dad might decide unilaterally to take his family to Indiana for summer vacation, without asking them where they'd like to go. You're most likely to come across the word unilaterally in a news report, since it's often used to describe actions taken by governments. If one country unilaterally launches an attack on another, it means the country's government does not consult groups like the United Nations or other affected countries before making the decision to attack. The Latin root, unilateralis, combines the prefix uni, or "one," with latus, "side," to make a word that means "one-sided."

Example Sentences

Sir Grant also declined to answer a series of detailed questions from Sir Laurie, citing "legal obligations of confidentiality which I cannot unilaterally waive".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Leano said the mayor also can’t unilaterally mandate people receiving city-funded housing assistance enter treatment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Iran in mid-April unilaterally proposed shipping lanes that hugged its own coast, warning against potential mines and other hazards.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

A law passed by Congress in 2023 prohibits a president from unilaterally withdrawing the U.S. from NATO.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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