Unilateral

Unilateral refers to an action or decision made by one party, often without consultation or agreement from others involved. In various contexts such as politics, law, or business, unilateral actions highlight the dominance or authority of one party while potentially sidelining the interests or opinions of others.

Unilateral meaning with examples

• The government implemented a unilateral policy that affects trade regulations without consulting neighboring countries, prompting concerns about diplomatic relations and cooperation in the region. This decision may lead to economic repercussions that could have been avoided through collaboration and dialogue.
• In a recent corporate merger, the CEO made a unilateral decision to eliminate several departments, aiming for cost efficiency. However, this move has sparked outrage among employees who feel their input should have been considered in such a significant change.
• The scientific community criticized the researcher for taking unilateral actions in the publication process, neglecting peer review. Such behavior undermines the collaborative spirit essential to scientific integrity and could mislead future studies relying on the reported findings.
• During the negotiation talks, one party proposed unilateral disarmament, believing it would foster trust. However, the opposing party saw this as an unfair advantage, indicating that genuine progress requires mutual agreement rather than one-sided gestures.
• The organization's unilateral decision to change work-from-home policies met resistance from employees who felt their needs were overlooked. Open discussions and collaborative decision-making could have resulted in a more accepted and beneficial policy for all involved.