Unilaterally Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Politics

• In politics, decisions made unilaterally can often lead to conflicts, especially if they disregard the opinions or rights of others.
• Many international treaties aim to prevent unilateral actions to promote cooperative decision-making between countries.
• Unilateral actions by nations can spark debates and tensions, especially when they're perceived as imposing one nation's will over others.

Psychology

• Unilateral decision-making can affect relationships, as it may lead to feelings of exclusion or resentment among those not consulted.
• People who frequently make unilateral decisions may exhibit traits of leadership or assertiveness, but can also be seen as domineering.
• Research indicates that collaboration often yields better outcomes because it allows for diverse viewpoints, unlike unilateral choices.

Law

• In legal terms, unilateral contracts involve one party making a promise in exchange for an act by another party, without seeking a reciprocal promise.
• Unilateral actions can lead to significant legal ramifications when they violate agreements or contracts established between parties.
• The principle of unilateral decision-making is often scrutinized during discussions about fairness and justice within legal contexts.

Business

• Companies may adopt unilateral decision-making when rapid responses are needed, like in crisis management, though this can impact team morale.
• Top-down management styles often embody unilateral decision-making, where leaders dictate strategies without employee input.
• Effective leaders balance unilateral decisions with collective input to foster ownership and commitment among their team members.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Latin 'unus' meaning 'one' and 'lateralis' meaning 'of the side', literally indicating a single-sided action.
• It entered the English language in the early 19th century, reflecting growing trends in individual decision-making, especially in political contexts.
• The prefix 'uni-' is often used in terms like 'university', which means a community of one.

The term 'unilaterally' originates from the word 'unilateral,' which comes from the Latin roots 'uni-' meaning 'one' and 'lateral' meaning 'side.' The prefix 'uni-' denotes singularity, while 'lateral' pertains to the sides of something. Thus, 'unilateral' literally refers to something that concerns one side only. The adverbial form 'unilaterally' started to be used in English in the early 19th century, gaining prominence particularly in legal and political discourse when referring to actions or agreements made by one side without involving others. The use of this term has since expanded into various fields, including business and international relations, to describe actions that do not require consensus or agreement from other parties. Its implications often carry a significant weight in discussions about cooperation and negotiation.

With rank #15,039, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

• ...
• 15036 scrupulous
• 15037 propped
• 15038 grieve
• 15039 unilaterally
• 15040 depositor
• 15041 neutralized
• 15042 replica
• ...