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

He's been openly critical of isolationism, noting similar strategies were a factor in the leadup to World War II, and has argued protecting Ukraine from Russia is in the best interest of national security. —Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Nov. 2025

Trump quickly pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council, underscoring his commitment to isolationism. —Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025

And there’s an emotional reaction to it, to that isolationism. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025

On the surface, those markers do not exactly align with Trump’s record of isolationism, antagonism, and domestic militantism. —Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Oct. 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