bilateral

adjective

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

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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 If formalized, the arrangement would expand a program originally established as a bilateral submarine partnership into a broader NATO framework. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026 Syria's new leadership has aimed to maintain strong bilateral ties with Moscow. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 The two leaders discussed their countries' efforts toward joining the European Union, bilateral ties and ways to expand cooperation. — Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2026 The agreement was not directed against any specific actor, was open ​to ⁠other regional countries, and did not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral arrangements, the official added. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 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
  • But outside factors might not be so cooperative going forward.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The law sets exceptions for certain schools and academies, including year-round schools, cooperative innovative/early college schools and qualifying districts that have a good-cause calendar waiver.
    — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of cooperative
Adjective
  • Two wildfires have burned a collective 900 acres in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Forest Service.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Internal Champions Are The Primary Deployment Mechanism​ As important as advances in technology are, people ultimately have to make the collective decisions that result in systemic changes in clinical practices.
    — Erez Meltzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • The curriculum—a first for the local public school system—was also a bid to control communal loyalties in Hawaii, which the United States had annexed in 1898.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Bear in mind that a communal bathroom can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and germs.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of communal
Adjective
  • Breaking force balance In ordinary passive systems, interactions are reciprocal.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Choose the invitation, cause, or friendship that feels genuinely reciprocal.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • His work reflects a consistent belief that leadership is defined not by position, but by trust, behavior, and the ability to align people toward shared outcomes.
    — K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The United States’ Middle East order, too, had been decaying for years as policy and political failures accumulated, culminating in the loss of shared purpose and the military impotence revealed by the latest crises.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of shared
Adjective
  • Contrary to Representative Gomez's assertion in his statement, his actions were not 'consensual in nature' with respect to our client.
    — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Those of us who despise Trumpism too rarely asked ourselves whether Trump’s efforts to conceal an apparently consensual relationship with Stormy Daniels were the proper grounds for prosecution.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of consensual

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Cite this Entry

“Bilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilateral. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bilateral for Spanish Speakers

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