unilaterally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unilaterally' is correct and usable in written English.
The word 'unilaterally' means to take an action without consulting or informing anyone else, or without anyone else's agreement. An example sentence using 'unilaterally' could be: "The supervisor decided to implement the new policy unilaterally without consulting the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

But not unilaterally say we want to discard all the bits we don't like but only keep the bits we like and you lot have to accede to that, otherwise we will leave.

The Guardian

But if they refuse, we will amend the 1972 European Communities Act to take them back unilaterally.

The Guardian

Any deal in which the terms are unilaterally reset to favour us is bound to be attractive.

The Guardian - Opinion

While territory may be defensively occupied, it cannot be unilaterally appropriated as the country's own sovereign territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Writing in the Observer on the eve of the Cancún climate talks, David Cameron says Britain is prepared to act unilaterally against climate change, "setting a shining example domestically for other countries to follow".

The Guardian

Following the failure of a negotiated settlement between Belgrade and Pristina after the conflict, Kosovo unilaterally declared itself independent in February 2008.

The Guardian

Britain will "unilaterally" weaken its ability to fight crime if the government opts out of a series of EU justice measures, the former home secretary Charles Clarke has warned.

The Guardian

If a tax could be applied it would have beneficial effects … My reservation is that for the UK to engage in this unilaterally would be a very dangerous thing to do because it would destroy the country's financial sector.

The Guardian - Business

She claimed it was a mercy killing, but she acted unilaterally without thinking about what Paterson wanted or the views of family and staff, Teesside crown court heard.

The Guardian

Fixing the rules on an international stage, not unilaterally.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unilaterally", ensure it's clear who is taking the action and what the action is. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact. For example, instead of just saying "the decision was made unilaterally", specify who made the decision: "The board decided unilaterally to cut funding."

Common error

Don't assume "unilaterally" always implies a negative connotation. While it often suggests a lack of consultation, it can also describe decisive action taken when collaboration isn't feasible or necessary. Ensure the context supports the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unilaterally" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action is performed by one person or group without the consent or participation of others. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from political decisions to business actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unilaterally" is an adverb used to describe actions taken by one party without the agreement or consultation of others. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While the term is neutral, depending on the context it can have a negative connotation implying that the action was taken without broader support or negotiation. To avoid ambiguity, the best practice is to specify who took the action, ensuring clarity and preventing misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Acting alone

Simple and direct way of stating that the action was performed by a single entity.

Without consultation

Directly points out the absence of discussion or advice from others.

Without external agreement

Clearly indicates that the action was taken without the consent of other parties.

Independently

Focuses on the aspect of acting without reliance on others.

On one's own

A more colloquial way of saying independently or without assistance.

Autonomously

Highlights self-governance and decision-making without external control.

On one's own authority

Emphasizes the power or right to act independently.

By one's own initiative

Emphasizes the proactive nature of the action, originating from oneself.

Single-handedly

Stresses the aspect of doing something alone, often implying it was a difficult task.

In isolation

Highlights the separation from others when taking action.

FAQs

How can I use "unilaterally" in a sentence?

Use "unilaterally" to describe an action taken by one person or group without the agreement or consultation of others. For example, "The president decided to proceed "unilaterally" with the new trade policy".

What are some alternatives to saying "unilaterally"?

You can use alternatives like "independently", "autonomously", or "without consultation" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

Is it better to act "unilaterally" or multilaterally?

Whether acting ""unilaterally"" or multilaterally is better depends on the situation. "Unilaterally" implies speed and decisiveness but may lack broader support. Multilateral action ensures wider agreement but can be slower and more complex.

What does it mean when a country acts "unilaterally" in international relations?

When a country acts ""unilaterally"", it means it's taking action without the agreement or support of other countries. This can involve trade policies, military interventions, or diplomatic decisions.