unilateralism
noun
uni·lat·er·al·ism ˌyü-ni-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 
: a policy of taking unilateral action (as in international affairs) regardless of outside support or reciprocity
also : advocacy of such a policy
unilateralist
ˌyü-ni-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-list
noun or adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Protectionism and unilateralism can protect no one. 
Jamey Keaten, ajc, 17 Jan. 2022 Only new legislation can cure presidential unilateralism and that is not in the offing. WSJ, 11 Nov. 2021 Voters repeatedly cite terrorism, China, and nuclear proliferation as the most significant threats to the United States and are quite comfortable with American unilateralism and a strong American military. Gabriel Scheinmann, National Review, 5 Sep. 2021 Trump’s tendency toward America First unilateralism was bracing to a man schooled in multilateral Cold War alliance-making. Jeremy Carl, Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2021 Nyabola thinks that the long-term impact of Trump's unilateralism carries two significant risks. Luke Mcgee, CNN, 30 Oct. 2020 Trump’s instinctive unilateralism, his belief that international institutions cage the U.S. rather than project its power, forced other nations to change their calculations about dealing with Washington. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2020 Meaningful action to protect human rights is rare, and the collectivist approach, which disdains unilateralism, keeps forceful sovereign responses at bay. Aaron Rhodes, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2020 The coalition has seen a revival in the post-Covid-19 world, despite the perception of Trump’s unilateralism, particularly because of the rising concern in the West with regards to Beijing, Kugelman said. Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, 13 Oct. 2020 See More
Jamey Keaten, ajc, 17 Jan. 2022 Only new legislation can cure presidential unilateralism and that is not in the offing. WSJ, 11 Nov. 2021 Voters repeatedly cite terrorism, China, and nuclear proliferation as the most significant threats to the United States and are quite comfortable with American unilateralism and a strong American military. Gabriel Scheinmann, National Review, 5 Sep. 2021 Trump’s tendency toward America First unilateralism was bracing to a man schooled in multilateral Cold War alliance-making. Jeremy Carl, Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2021 Nyabola thinks that the long-term impact of Trump's unilateralism carries two significant risks. Luke Mcgee, CNN, 30 Oct. 2020 Trump’s instinctive unilateralism, his belief that international institutions cage the U.S. rather than project its power, forced other nations to change their calculations about dealing with Washington. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2020 Meaningful action to protect human rights is rare, and the collectivist approach, which disdains unilateralism, keeps forceful sovereign responses at bay. Aaron Rhodes, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2020 The coalition has seen a revival in the post-Covid-19 world, despite the perception of Trump’s unilateralism, particularly because of the rising concern in the West with regards to Beijing, Kugelman said. Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, 13 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above