bilateral

adjective

Definition of bilateralnext
as in cooperative
involving two groups or countries; having or affecting two sides bilateral trade agreements a bilateral treaty

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bilateral The question is no longer whether Addis Ababa and Mekelle can restore their former bilateral arrangement. — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 Both sides also agreed to set up a dialogue mechanism over artificial intelligence, including a bilateral channel to discuss AI incidents. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 But even a cursory look beneath the surface revealed the challenges ahead for the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Sheinbaum confirmed the participation of the K-pop group in the bilateral meeting, which will primarily address topics such as trade and investment cooperation as well as the expansion of South Korean cultural content in the Latin American nation. — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bilateral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bilateral
  1. cooperative
  2. collective
  3. communal
  4. reciprocal
  5. shared
  6. consensual
Adjective
  • Jarrett Ortiz Jarrett Ortiz’s journey at Estée Lauder began over five years ago through the Drexel University cooperative education program.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Spivey said that Pike was cooperative during the execution attempt, even helping the execution team find a good vein for her IV.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cooperative
Adjective
  • Part of our collective mounting dread is that this technology is far outstripping the ability, access, and time required to study its effects on human beings.
    — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026
  • O’Hare though paid individuals a collective $16,000 for canvassing, whereas Simmons doesn’t report spending any.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • While pretty, the beachfront isn’t ideal for swimming, so the three communal pools are a welcome perk.
    — Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Accessibility There are ramps leading up to the lobby and most communal areas, while an elevator makes every level accessible without the need for stairs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of communal
Adjective
  • The United States and China released Monday reciprocal lists of products worth about $30 billion each that will see tariff cuts, in a deal expected to boost bilateral trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In another list were Washington’s reciprocal tariff cuts for Chinese small appliances such as coffee makers and toasters, tableware, blankets and bed linens.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • What is already clear is the tremendous talent across our organization and our shared mission to deepen and extend our fans’ emotional connection to our iconic brands and franchises through high-quality products and stories.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The shared affinity was clear in the celebration, as Mesa sprayed Cash with alcohol, and Vilade and Erik Neander, the team’s president of baseball operations, embraced while Vilade was interviewed.
    — Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shared
Adjective
  • Its restrictions cover suicide and self-harm promotion, eating disorder encouragement, body shaming, non-consensual intimate imagery, harassment, and animal cruelty.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Critics argue that the bill would expose people to prosecution for consensual conduct.
    — Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of consensual

Browse Nearby Words

bikeways
bilateral
bile
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilateral. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All