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

"Unilaterally expanding the rules by enforcement actions sidesteps due process and creates a dangerous precedent," she said in a statement.

From Reuters • Sep. 25, 2023

Unilaterally pressuring her to do it while you’re not making any sacrifices yourself is a recipe for resentment, even if she ultimately agrees to it.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2022

Unilaterally and high-handedly, I've omitted those books that delighted them but bored me comatose.

From The Guardian • Aug. 3, 2011

Unilaterally, he played out the parts of accuser, jury and judge as he determined the fate of the oil-and-gas lease auction and its intended participants that day,” prosecutors said in court documents.

From Washington Post • Jul. 26, 2011

"Unilaterally to go beyond them is not healthy or good."

From Time Magazine Archive