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Unilaterally: meaning, definitions and examples

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unilaterally

 

[ ˌjuː.nɪˈlæt.ər.əl.i ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

decision making

Unilaterally refers to an action taken by one party or individual without the agreement or involvement of others. It often implies a lack of consultation or collaboration, which can lead to conflict or misunderstanding. In legal and diplomatic contexts, unilateral actions can affect relationships and agreements with other parties.

Synonyms

independently, one-sidedly, single-handedly

Examples of usage

  • The company unilaterally decided to change its policy.
  • He unilaterally withdrew from the negotiation.
  • The government imposed sanctions unilaterally.

Translations

Translations of the word "unilaterally" in other languages:

🇵🇹 unilateralmente

🇮🇳 एकतरफा

🇩🇪 einseitig

🇮🇩 sepihak

🇺🇦 односторонньо

🇵🇱 jednostronnie

🇯🇵 一方的に

🇫🇷 unilatéralement

🇪🇸 unilateralmente

🇹🇷 tek taraflı olarak

🇰🇷 일방적으로

🇸🇦 من جانب واحد

🇨🇿 jednostranně

🇸🇰 jednostranne

🇨🇳 单方面地

🇸🇮 enostranško

🇮🇸 einnhliða

🇰🇿 біржақты

🇬🇪 ერთმხრივი

🇦🇿 tək tərəfli

🇲🇽 unilateralmente

Word origin

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.

Word Frequency Rank

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