unanimous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unanimous" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where all members of a group agree on a particular decision or opinion. Example: "The board reached a unanimous decision to approve the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hill's attorney, Brian Kammer, issued a statement after the stay: "All the doctors who have examined Mr Hill are unanimous in their diagnosis of mental retardation, so there is no question that his execution would have been in violation of the US supreme court's 2002 ruling in Atkins v Virginia.

The Guardian

Nicola Magrini of the Essential Medicines List secretariat at the WHO said the committee's decision was unanimous, after two reviews of the evidence on the drugs.

The Guardian

The result of the Peston adjudication was a unanimous outcry among education correspondents that the government had got it wrong.

The Guardian

About 100 parents and teachers attended last month's meeting and the few who spoke were unanimous: they were willing to try harder to meet the costs of community teachers, but the government must step in to help.

The Guardian

Yet if he had come clean about his decisions to go to war, if he had not mislead the international community on his motives, we would not be seeing a unanimous dragging of heels when it comes to intervention in Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

In April of 2013, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an exhilarating unanimous (but nonbinding) resolution asking the Employee Retirement Board to divest.

The Guardian - Opinion

District judge Jason Cashon instructed the 12-person jury that the verdict must be unanimous.

The Guardian

"The decision is final," the court said, in a unanimous ruling.

The Guardian

If Morgan was unlucky (not unanimous), Root just made a bad call.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis – review The Little Rebels judges were unanimous in their decision to award the prize to Gill Lewis.

The Guardian

February 2008 After a unanimous guilty verdict, Wright is given a "life means life" sentence for five murders.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unanimous", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates that all members of a group are in complete agreement to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unanimous" when referring to a majority decision. Unanimity requires 100% agreement, not just a significant portion.

Linguistic Context

The word "unanimous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate complete agreement or accord among all members of a group. Ludwig indicates that this word is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unanimous", meaning complete agreement, is a grammatically correct and very commonly used adjective across various contexts. As Ludwig confirms, it accurately describes situations where all members of a group share the same opinion or decision. Predominantly found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific publications, the word emphasizes complete alignment and lack of dissent. When using "unanimous", it's important to ensure that the context genuinely reflects total agreement, avoiding misattribution to majority decisions. Alternatives such as "in complete agreement" or "of one mind" can provide similar emphasis with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in complete agreement

Emphasizes the state of being fully aligned in opinion or decision.

of one mind

Highlights the unity of thought and perspective among individuals.

in full accord

Stresses the harmony and concurrence in sentiment or action.

with no dissent

Focuses on the absence of disagreement or opposition within the group.

by common consent

Indicates that the agreement was reached through mutual approval and acceptance.

with universal approval

Emphasizes the widespread and all-encompassing nature of the agreement.

without exception

Highlights the absence of any dissenting voices or differing opinions.

in perfect harmony

Emphasizes the seamless and unified nature of the agreement or consensus.

by acclamation

Suggests approval or agreement was expressed enthusiastically and publicly.

with total consensus

Underscores the completeness and solidarity of the agreement reached.

FAQs

How can I use "unanimous" in a sentence?

You can use "unanimous" to describe a decision, opinion, or vote where everyone is in complete agreement. For example, "The committee reached a "unanimous" decision to approve the project."

What are some alternatives to the word "unanimous"?

Alternatives to "unanimous" include "in complete agreement", "of one mind", or "in full accord", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost unanimous"?

While "almost unanimous" is commonly used to indicate near-complete agreement, it is technically a contradiction. Unanimity implies 100% agreement, so consider using phrases like "near-total agreement" or "overwhelming majority" instead.

What's the difference between "unanimous" and "majority"?

"Unanimous" means that everyone agrees, whereas "majority" means that more than half agree. A decision can be made by a majority vote without being "unanimous".