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Meaning & use

unilateral decisions

noun·Academicformal

Last updated

UK/ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl dɪˈsɪʒənz/
US/ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl dɪˈsɪʒənz/

Meanings

  1. nounpluralformal

    decisions made by one person or group alone, without asking or telling others first

    Grammar: Always used in the plural; for one such decision say 'a unilateral decision'.

    Patterns

    • make unilateral decisions
    • take unilateral decisions
    • unilateral decisions about something
    • unilateral decisions on something

    The manager was criticized for making unilateral decisions without consulting the team.

    After the merger, the board promised to stop taking unilateral decisions about job cuts.

    She disliked unilateral decisions on spending, so she asked for a monthly vote.

  2. nounpluralformal

    actions or choices taken by one country or side in a dispute without agreement from the others

    Grammar: Used in political or diplomatic contexts; often followed by 'on' or 'about'.

    Patterns

    • unilateral decisions on something
    • unilateral decisions by a country
    • condemn unilateral decisions

    The treaty broke down after a series of unilateral decisions on border controls.

    Diplomats warned that unilateral decisions by one side could restart the conflict.

    Voters supported the peace plan but rejected unilateral decisions on military spending.

Common combinations

make unilateral decisions
He tends to make unilateral decisions when he is under pressure.
take unilateral decisions
The committee should not take unilateral decisions on the budget.
unilateral decisions about something
There were complaints about unilateral decisions about staff training.
a series of unilateral decisions
A series of unilateral decisions damaged trust between the two sides.

Synonyms and how they differ

one-sided decisions
More informal and slightly disapproving; it stresses that only one side was involved, not that the decision was made alone.
independent decisions
Neutral and often approving; it suggests acting without needing help, not acting without consulting others.

Opposites

joint decisionscollective decisions

Word family

unilateral adjective
Done by one person, group, or country alone.
unilaterally adverb
In a way that involves only one side.

Commonly confused: unilateral decisions or bilateral decisions?

unilateral decisions vs bilateral decisions

Bilateral means involving two sides, so 'bilateral decisions' are made by both parties together.

Practice

The union accused the company of making _____ decisions about working hours without any negotiation.

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