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
Fed policy doesn’t exist in a vacuum: Other central banks are also simultaneously making interest-rate choices.
—
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 July 2024
But the United States does not operate in a vacuum.
—Aaron Stein, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2019
But the question is asked in a vacuum, with no context.
—Maria Cardona, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2024
Unfortunately for Cabello, her music simply doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in a vacuum 
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 July 2024
But the United States does not operate in a vacuum.
—Aaron Stein, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2019
But the question is asked in a vacuum, with no context.
—Maria Cardona, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2024
Unfortunately for Cabello, her music simply doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in a vacuum
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 26 Jul. 2024.
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