isolationism

noun

iso·​la·​tion·​ism ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce isolationism (audio)
 also  ˌi-
: a policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international political and economic relations
isolationist noun or adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Since ascending to power in March last year, Ms. Hassan has positioned herself as a unifying national figure willing to challenge the establishment and bent on bringing her country in from the cold after five years of isolationism under Mr. Magufuli, who rarely traveled abroad. New York Times, 15 Apr. 2022 That is the voice of isolationism. Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 19 Jan. 2022 The first volume of that trilogy, Dangerous Nation: America’s Foreign Policy From Its Earliest Days to the Dawn of the Twentieth Century (2006), concluded that America’s reputation for isolationism was a myth. Samuel Moyn, The New Republic, 14 Feb. 2023 Putin’s Russia return to the days of isolationism, paranoia and growing hostility. Dallas News, 8 Feb. 2023 While Trump and his offshoots thrive on weak institutions and the utopian promises of isolationism, America, historically, has not. Scott Jennings, CNN, 2 Jan. 2023 Most of us live in the in-between, preserving our customs and culture, but not at the cost of complete isolationism, or human life. Alana Vincent, Time, 16 Dec. 2022 In the book — a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award — Dr. Herring dismissed popular notions of an American trend toward isolationism, chronicling U.S. involvement with foreign powers since before the republic was formed. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2022 In the book - a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award - Mr. Herring dismissed popular notions of an American trend toward isolationism, chronicling U.S. involvement with foreign powers since before the republic was formed. Emily Langer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'isolationism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of isolationism was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near isolationism

Cite this Entry

“Isolationism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isolationism. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

isolationism

noun
iso·​la·​tion·​ism ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce isolationism (audio)
: a national policy of avoiding international political and economic relations
isolationist noun or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on isolationism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY