isolationism

noun

iso·​la·​tion·​ism ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shə-ˌni-zəm 

 also  ˌi-

: a policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international political and economic relations

isolationist

ˌī-sə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nist 

 also  ˌi-

noun or adjective

Examples of isolationism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This new, more favorable vision of Russia was developing its own intellectual architecture, one that married isolationism, nationalism and traditionalism with a growing appreciation for autocratic strongmen who were bending their countries to their will. —Eric Jason Martin Tanya Pérez Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Transitioning critical biomanufacturing capacity and pharmaceutical supply chains back to America and its allies is not about isolationism. —Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

But Roosevelt never lost sight of the fact that isolationism might well return once the conflict was over. —Time, 12 Apr. 2025

Historically, even during its peak, isolationism in the US was never absolute. —Andrew Latham, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for isolationism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism

Kids Definition

isolationism

noun

iso·​la·​tion·​ism ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shə-ˌniz-əm 

: a national policy of avoiding international political and economic relations

isolationist

-sh(ə-)nəst 

noun or adjective