Unilaterally

Unilaterally is an adverb meaning by one person, group, or party alone; without the agreement or cooperation of others. It is formed from the adjective unilateral (one-sided) with the suffix -ly. As an adverb, it describes actions taken without consultation or consent from other actors.

In international relations and law, unilateral actions are undertaken by a single state or actor without a multilateral process. Common terms include unilateral sanctions, unilateral recognition of a government, and unilateral declarations of independence. These actions can have broad political and legal implications, influencing diplomatic relations and prompting responses from other states or international organizations.

In general usage, unilaterally describes decisions, withdrawals, or measures initiated by one party. It is often contrasted with bilaterally (involving two sides) and multilaterally (involving multiple parties). The term can apply to government policy, corporate decisions, or any scenario where only one side acts independently of others.

Examples:

- The government unilaterally announced a tariff increase.

- The country unilaterally recognized the new leadership.

- In grammar, unilaterally modifies a verb to indicate an action performed by one party alone.

See also: unilateral, unilateralism, bilateral, multilateral.

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