unilateral
Definitions
Done or decided by one side or party only, without the agreement of others.
单方面的；单边的。
Affecting or occurring on one side only (technical/medical).
（技术/医学）单侧的。
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveduni- (one) + later (side, from Latin latus) + -al = 'one-sided.' A unilateral decision is taken by one party alone, without waiting for the others to agree — the opposite of bilateral (two sides) or multilateral (many sides).
Common Collocations
- 1.unilateral decision单方面决定
- 2.unilateral action单方面行动
- 3.unilateral ceasefire单方面停火
- 4.act unilaterally单方面行动
Example Sentences
- 1.
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw its troops.
- 2.
A unilateral ceasefire was announced overnight.
- 3.
He took unilateral action without consulting the team.
Easily Confused
unilateral vs bilateral vs multilateral — count the sides: uni- = one side acting alone, bi- = two sides agreeing (a bilateral treaty), multi- = many sides (multilateral talks). Unilateral often carries a hint of acting without permission.