a unilateral decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"a unilateral decision" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a decision made by one party without the agreement or input of others. For example, "The manager made a unilateral decision to change the project deadline." Alternative expressions include "a one-sided decision" and "an independent decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is not the time for a unilateral decision.

The New York Times - Arts

So I took a unilateral decision to stop".

The Guardian - Music

"This was not a unilateral decision," Groh said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, but it's probably not a unilateral decision that Britain will take".

The Guardian - Sport

"We're not making a unilateral decision here in the Council," she added.

The New York Times

"They're making a unilateral decision to place kids in private school.

The New York Times

"A unilateral decision by the United States the North Koreans would not trust," he said.

The New York Times

It's awful that your wife has made a unilateral decision for celibacy, but if you make a unilateral decision to get sex elsewhere, it's likely to finish off your marriage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said that he liked and respected Gibson, but that this should not be a unilateral decision.

The New Yorker

Daniel Bernard, the French ambassador to London, said he thought such a unilateral decision by Britain would violate European conventions.

The New York Times

Instead I have taken a unilateral decision (because I can) to award series four golden tweezer award to Cousin Isobel.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a unilateral decision" specifically when you need to highlight the exclusion of other parties who have a vested interest in the outcome. It is a powerful tool for framing an action as an exercise of power or a breach of expected collaborative protocols, making it more effective in administrative or political narratives than in casual personal settings.

Common error

Do not mistake "a unilateral decision" for a synonym for 'fast' or 'impromptu'. A decision can be unilateral—meaning it was made without the input of others—while still being the result of a long, calculated and slow process. Confusing the scope of the decision-making body with the speed of the execution can lead to descriptive inaccuracies.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unilateral decision" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

"a unilateral decision" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the direct object of a verb (e.g. "made", "took", "announced") or as the subject of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is grammatically correct and adheres to standard English rules. It combines the indefinite article "a", the adjective "unilateral" (deriving from the Latin for "one-sided") and the noun "decision".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Social Media

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a unilateral decision" is a highly robust and widely accepted expression in modern English. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard noun phrase used across prestigious publications to denote actions taken by one entity without external consensus. Its frequent appearance in legal and political discourse underlines its utility in describing power dynamics and procedural breaches. Writers should favor this phrase when they wish to explicitly underscore that a decision was reached in isolation, especially when a collective process was expected. Overall, it is a versatile and authoritative choice for professional writing, journalism and formal academic discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a one-sided decision

highlights a perceived lack of balance or fairness to other parties

an independent decision

emphasizes the autonomy of the decider without necessarily implying a conflict

a non-consensual decision

specifically stresses that other involved parties did not agree to the choice

a single-handed move

suggests an action performed by one individual without external assistance

a solitary choice

focuses on the isolation or loneliness of the person making the decision

a solo determination

underlines that the final conclusion was reached by one party alone

a personal executive decision

specifies that the choice was made using individual authority within a hierarchy

an exclusive judgment

suggests that the power to judge was restricted to one specific entity

an arbitrary decision

adds a negative connotation of randomness or lack of objective reason

a discrete ruling

implies a separate and distinct official determination, often in a legal context

FAQs

How to use "a unilateral decision" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an action taken without consultation, such as: 'The CEO made "a unilateral decision" to restructure the department without consulting the board'.

What can I say instead of "a unilateral decision"?

You can use alternatives like "a one-sided decision", "an independent decision" or "a non-consensual decision" depending on your specific focus.

What is the difference between "a unilateral decision" and a multilateral decision?

A "a unilateral decision" is made by one party alone, whereas "a multilateral decision" involves agreement and participation from three or more parties or nations.

Is "a unilateral decision" considered formal English?

Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. While it is widely used in journalism and news, its Latinate origin makes it highly appropriate for legal, academic and professional business contexts.