in a vacuum
idiom
: separated from outside events or influences
The group was operating in a vacuum, cut off from the rest of the world.
The city's riots did not happen in a vacuum. They were caused by recent political events.
Examples of in a vacuum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dependence on allies means the Israeli response will not happen in a vacuum.
—
Gadi Ezra, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
These teams do not operate in a vacuum, Maxcy said.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024
But the central bank doesn’t operate in a vacuum, either.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Comparison And Benchmarking Contrary to the common belief that our romantic relationships exist in a vacuum, the reality is far different.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
Researchers have tried creating 2D insulators before as well, but the problem lies in the fabrication process: to make them, scientists apply heat in a vacuum chamber, and the heat causes the insulating materials to crystallize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Jan. 2024
Analysts noted that advanced semiconductors can require weeks in a vacuum.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
The researchers put liquid water containing S. alaskensis in a vacuum, and used a laser and spectral analysis to see whether the cellular material was detectable.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024
California’s housing crisis Squatters aren’t created in a vacuum.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Gadi Ezra, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
These teams do not operate in a vacuum, Maxcy said.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024
But the central bank doesn’t operate in a vacuum, either.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Comparison And Benchmarking Contrary to the common belief that our romantic relationships exist in a vacuum, the reality is far different.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
Researchers have tried creating 2D insulators before as well, but the problem lies in the fabrication process: to make them, scientists apply heat in a vacuum chamber, and the heat causes the insulating materials to crystallize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Jan. 2024
Analysts noted that advanced semiconductors can require weeks in a vacuum.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
The researchers put liquid water containing S. alaskensis in a vacuum, and used a laser and spectral analysis to see whether the cellular material was detectable.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024
California’s housing crisis Squatters aren’t created in a vacuum.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in a vacuum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in a vacuum
Cite this Entry
“In a vacuum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20a%20vacuum. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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