Unanimity: meaning, definitions and examples

🤝
Add to dictionary

unanimity

 

[ juːnəˈnɪməti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in decision making

The quality or state of being unanimous; a consensus or agreement among all members of a group.

Synonyms

agreement, consensus, harmony, unity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
unanimity

Use this when everyone agrees completely on a decision or opinion, often in formal settings like meetings or votes.

  • The board reached unanimity on the new policy
  • There was unanimity in the jury's verdict
agreement

This is a general term for when two or more parties share the same opinion or decision, suitable for various formal and informal situations.

  • They came to an agreement after a long discussion
  • We have an agreement about the project's deadline
consensus

Usually refers to a general agreement or collective opinion, especially in group settings where not everyone might fully agree but accept the majority view.

  • The team reached a consensus on the best approach
  • Building a consensus among stakeholders was challenging
unity

This term is used when describing a state of being united or coming together, often in social, political, or group contexts.

  • The leaders called for unity among the citizens
  • The team's unity was their greatest strength
harmony

Often used to describe a peaceful, cooperative, and positive state of agreement, especially in social or artistic contexts.

  • They lived together in harmony for many years
  • The choir sang in perfect harmony

Examples of usage

  • The board of directors reached a unanimous decision on the new policy.
  • The committee showed unanimity in their vote for the new chairperson.
Context #2 | Noun

in opinions

The state of complete agreement or unity of opinion among all the members of a group.

Synonyms

agreement, concurrence, consensus.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
unanimity

Refers to complete agreement by all people involved and is often used in formal and structured situations, such as voting or decision-making settings. It emphasizes that every single participant is in agreement.

  • The council's decision was made with complete unanimity.
  • Unanimity was required for the motion to pass.
agreement

Generally used when two or more parties come to a mutual understanding or arrive at a common decision about an issue. It is formal but commonly used in both casual and professional conversations.

  • They reached an agreement on the new contract terms.
  • There was an agreement among the team members on the plan.
concurrence

Typically used in formal or legal settings to indicate that multiple parties share the same opinion or decision at the same time. It is more seldomly used in casual conversation.

  • The board members gave their concurrence on the proposal.
  • There was a rare concurrence of all parties involved.
consensus

Often used in settings where a general agreement is reached after discussion, particularly in collaborative or decision-making processes. It implies broader agreement among a group.

  • The team achieved consensus after several meetings.
  • There seems to be a growing consensus on climate action.

Examples of usage

  • There was unanimity among the team members about the best course of action.
  • The family members expressed unanimity in their support for the decision.

Translations

Translations of the word "unanimity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 unanimidade

🇮🇳 सर्वसम्मति

🇩🇪 Einstimmigkeit

🇮🇩 kesepakatan bulat

🇺🇦 одностайність

🇵🇱 jednomyślność

🇯🇵 全会一致 (ぜんかいいっち)

🇫🇷 unanimité

🇪🇸 unanimidad

🇹🇷 oybirliği

🇰🇷 만장일치 (manjang-ilchi)

🇸🇦 إجماع

🇨🇿 jednomyslnost

🇸🇰 jednomyseľnosť

🇨🇳 一致同意 (yīzhì tóngyì)

🇸🇮 enotnost

🇮🇸 einhugur

🇰🇿 бір ауыздылық

🇬🇪 ერთსულოვნება (ertsulovneba)

🇦🇿 birmənalı

🇲🇽 unanimidad

Etymology

The word 'unanimity' originated in the early 17th century from the Latin word 'unanimus', which means 'of one mind'. The concept of unanimity has been valued throughout history as a symbol of harmony and agreement within a group or community.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,615, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.