Word
isolationist
Phoneticsiso·la·tion·ist
US/ˌaɪsəˈɫeɪʃənəst/
UK/ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who believes their country should stay out of other countries' fights and deals and focus on its own problems.
n. a person who advocates national withdrawal from international alliances, trade pacts, or military involvement in favour of domestic focus.
Examples
“He is an isolationist who avoids all foreign news.”
“The senator is an isolationist who argues the country should close overseas bases and spend the money at home.”
“While critics call him an isolationist, his supporters argue that stepping back from foreign commitments lets the nation rebuild before re-engaging.”
Examples
simple
“He is an isolationist who avoids all foreign news.”
contextual
“The senator is an isolationist who argues the country should close overseas bases and spend the money at home.”
complex
“While critics call him an isolationist, his supporters argue that stepping back from foreign commitments lets the nation rebuild before re-engaging.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “isolationist” in context.
Verb
01. brand as isolationist
“The press branded her as an isolationist after her speech on alliances.”
verb + prep + noun
02. denounce as isolationist
“Critics were quick to denounce the new minister as an isolationist.”
verb + prep + noun
03. dismiss as isolationist
“He dismissed his rival as an isolationist who would abandon allies.”
verb + prep + noun
04. elect isolationist
“Voters elected an isolationist promising to end costly foreign wars.”
verb + noun
05. isolationist argues
“The isolationist argues that alliances only drag the country into wars.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. avowed isolationist
“The candidate is an avowed isolationist on trade and defence policy.”
adj + noun
07. committed isolationist
“As a committed isolationist, she says the country should avoid overseas entanglements.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. breed of isolationist
“He represents a new breed of isolationist focused on economic nationalism.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a staunch isolationist on trade
“She is known as a staunch isolationist on trade and immigration.”
10. adopt an isolationist stance
“After the war, the government adopted an isolationist stance on foreign conflicts.”
11. appeal to isolationist voters
“The candidate appealed to isolationist voters by promising to bring troops home.”
12. dismiss him as an isolationist
“Critics dismiss him as an isolationist who would abandon key allies.”
Real-World Examples
“For the prime minister to deploy the same tactics on senior diplomats from European allies – however strained their current relationship – marks a new embrace of isolationist extremism.” “Trump, who campaigned on what was seen as an isolationist "America First" platform, defends his policies as advancing U.S. economic and security interests.” Etymology
From isolation + -ist.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/isolationist