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
Clothes can’t be isolated in a vacuum; that’s not what great design is about.
—
James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
These races aren’t happening in a vacuum.
—Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The Giants do not exist in a vacuum.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
These shifts in response are not happening in a vacuum.
—Bill Wells, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in a vacuum
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
These races aren’t happening in a vacuum.
—Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The Giants do not exist in a vacuum.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
These shifts in response are not happening in a vacuum.
—Bill Wells, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share