self-isolate
verb
self-iso·late
ˌself-ˈī-sə-ˌlāt 
also -ˈi-
self-isolated; self-isolating; self-isolates
: to isolate or separate oneself or itself from others
Feelings of shame and a tendency to self-isolate in order to hide the behaviors can result in loss of social support.—
Alex Gitterman
Alex GittermanMy husband and I are both 85 and have heart problems, so even before the new orders we were self-isolating to avoid getting or passing on coronavirus.—Louise Cate
Louise CateGovernment officials said that public gatherings must be restricted to two people. … Those over 70 should self-isolate themselves.—Lidia Kelly
Lidia Kellyself-isolated people/countries
Examples of self-isolate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition, a Swiss crewmember is also in quarantine in the Netherlands, and another Swiss national is self-isolating in Switzerland.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 11 May 2026
Robin May, a British health official, told The Guardian the passengers who will soon return home may be asked to self-isolate, most likely at home, for 45 days.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
The three individuals show no symptoms of infection and are self-isolating and being monitored.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 May 2026
British health officials say two people who were passengers aboard the ship but flew home midway through the journey are self-isolating but do not have symptoms.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
British health officials said two of the ship’s passengers who flew home earlier in its journey are self-isolating but do not have symptoms of illness.
—Annie Risemberg, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
His wife, who traveled with him, is self-isolating but has not shown symptoms.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
The infected workers quickly self-isolated.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
The child self-isolated and is no longer contagious, according to the health district.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 8 Aug. 2025
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.
Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 11 May 2026
Robin May, a British health official, told The Guardian the passengers who will soon return home may be asked to self-isolate, most likely at home, for 45 days.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
The three individuals show no symptoms of infection and are self-isolating and being monitored.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 May 2026
British health officials say two people who were passengers aboard the ship but flew home midway through the journey are self-isolating but do not have symptoms.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
British health officials said two of the ship’s passengers who flew home earlier in its journey are self-isolating but do not have symptoms of illness.
—Annie Risemberg, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
His wife, who traveled with him, is self-isolating but has not shown symptoms.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
The infected workers quickly self-isolated.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
The child self-isolated and is no longer contagious, according to the health district.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-isolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-isolate. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
