isolationism

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The belief or policy that a country should stay out of the wars, alliances and affairs of other countries.

   Grammar: Not counted: a rise in isolationism.

   Patterns

   • a policy of isolationism
   • isolationism in something

   After the war, isolationism was popular among voters who wanted to focus at home.

   Critics warned that isolationism would damage trade.

   The senator's isolationism shaped her vote against the treaty.

2. 2noununcountabledisapproving

   A tendency to avoid contact or cooperation with outsiders in other areas, such as business or culture.

   Grammar: Used more loosely, often with disapproval.

   Patterns

   • cultural isolationism

   The company's isolationism meant it ignored overseas markets.

   Some saw the town's isolationism as a refusal to welcome newcomers.

Common combinations

policy of isolationism

The country followed a policy of isolationism for decades.

rise of isolationism

Historians discussed the rise of isolationism in the 1930s.

retreat into isolationism

Leaders feared a retreat into isolationism.

economic isolationism

Economic isolationism raised prices.

reject isolationism

The president rejected isolationism in his speech.

Synonyms and how they differ

nonintervention

Nonintervention means not interfering in other nations, and is narrower than isolationism, which avoids almost all ties.

insularity

Insularity describes a narrow mindset, whereas isolationism is a deliberate policy.

seclusion

Seclusion is about being private or withdrawn and does not refer to politics.

Opposites

Word family

isolationist noun

a person who supports isolationism

isolationist adjective

favoring isolationism

isolate verb

to separate from others

isolation noun

the state of being separate

Commonly confused: isolationism or isolation?

Practice

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