Word
unilaterally
Phoneticsuni·lat·er·al·ly
US/ˌjunəˈɫætɝəɫi/
UK/jˌuːnɪlˈætəɹəli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. done by one person, group, or country without asking or involving others. You use this when someone makes a big decision on their own that affects everyone.
adv. performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of others.
Examples
“The manager unilaterally changed the office hours.”
“The country decided to unilaterally withdraw from the trade agreement, surprising its neighboring allies.”
“Legal experts argued that the CEO could not unilaterally alter the terms of the contract without a formal vote from the board of directors.”
Examples
simple
“The manager unilaterally changed the office hours.”
contextual
“The country decided to unilaterally withdraw from the trade agreement, surprising its neighboring allies.”
complex
“Legal experts argued that the CEO could not unilaterally alter the terms of the contract without a formal vote from the board of directors.”
Usage
Typically describes the manner in which a decision or action is taken; often placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“Construction of a new dormitory for the school was approved in June, after the far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, unilaterally broke a decades-old international agreement on control of Hebron to give Israel planning authority.” “That would not allow it to block legislation unilaterally, but it could table new policy initiatives and disrupt consensus.” Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/unilaterally