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 With Xi and Trump likely to meet again multiple times in the next few months, the new framework is the first chance in years to lay the groundwork for enduring stability in bilateral ties. — Da Wei, Foreign Affairs, 7 Sep. 2026 The men said there were plans to resume a bilateral maritime exercise that had also been suspended in 2017. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 New Zealand supplies more than half of China's dairy imports, a dominance built under a bilateral trade agreement since 2008, that later granted duty-free access for all its dairy products in 2024. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 Trade and tariffs will surely be a central focus of discussions, which both sides have hoped will usher in a reset of the bilateral relationship between world superpowers. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 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
  • Washington positions it as a cooperative organization, rather than a way to enforce its own policies.
    — Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Its flagship will remain, Munn said, but the business hopes to spread the cooperative model.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cooperative
Adjective
  • Prosecutors argued Lil Durk conspired with five members of his Only the Family (OTF) collective to kill Tyquian Bowman, alias Quando Rondo.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2026
  • And as the Bears defense looks to make a jump this season, the collective energy and effort from their defensive tackles will be key.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • The production tracks the world’s richest woman returning to her bankrupt hometown with a billion-dollar rescue offer — on the condition that citizens execute her former lover — testing communal morality, complicity and corruption.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • What was once a rare precaution is now a permanent, mandatory reality for Jewish communal life nationwide as terror concerns remain at an all-time high.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of communal
Adjective
  • The best professional relationships are reciprocal, not transactional.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That reciprocal impact, according to Canadian officials, will purposefully target key sectors and states — like Michigan — with particular economic and political importance in the United States.
    — Grant Schwab, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • But that kind of growth, without shared purpose, just created a bigger room full of strangers.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Capricorn December 22 – January 19 A practical conversation could make shared responsibilities feel much lighter.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shared
Adjective
  • Meta didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about whether the handover was consensual, and whether the band was paid for the handle.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026
  • According to the lawsuit, a subsequent Cal investigation concluded that Spencer had violated campus policy regarding conflicts of interest in consensual relationships.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of consensual

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bilateral
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Cite this Entry

“Bilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilateral. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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