unilaterally

American  

[yoo-nuh-lat-er-uh-lee] / ˌju 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

Second, as a manufacturer cannot change EPA-approved labeling unilaterally, complying with both state and federal law would be impossible, preempting state suits.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

It isn’t clear if Hegseth recommended the names of the naval officers be removed or if he stripped them unilaterally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

"The Court has concluded that the Board overstepped its statutory bounds by unilaterally renaming the Kennedy Center after President Trump," Judge Christopher Cooper ruled.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

While English football, and a few other leagues, had unilaterally brought in the 30-second rule, Ifab has gone a step further.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 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