isolationism
gb/ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/ us/ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
avoidance of foreign involvement
the idea that a country should stay out of other countries' problems and agreements
Usage pattern:
[country]'s isolationism; a policy of isolationism; a return to isolationism
Common mistake:
Do not confuse isolationism with ordinary personal isolation; it usually describes a country's foreign policy or political attitude.
Synonyms
noninterventionism (emphasizes avoiding military or political intervention, especially in foreign conflicts)
|
neutrality (can mean not taking sides in a conflict, but is less broad than isolationism)
|
protectionism (mainly refers to restricting trade, not all foreign involvement)
Antonyms
internationalism (supports cooperation and engagement with other countries)
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interventionism (supports active involvement in other countries' affairs or conflicts)
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globalism (emphasizes global integration and cooperation, especially politically and economically)
Collocations
American isolationism
|political isolationism
|economic isolationism
|nationalist isolationism
|a policy of isolationism
|a return to isolationism
|a shift toward isolationism
|rising isolationism
|embrace isolationism
|reject isolationism
Themes
politics
|international_relations
|government
|war
|economics
Examples
- The candidate was accused of promoting isolationism after calling for the country to withdraw from several international agreements.
- Many historians associate the 1930s with a strong current of American isolationism.
- Critics argue that isolationism would weaken alliances and reduce the country's influence abroad.
Learner examples
- Isolationism means a country tries to stay out of foreign problems.
- The government rejected isolationism and worked closely with its allies.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
separation from outside influence
the habit of staying separate and not accepting outside ideas or contact
Usage pattern:
[group]'s isolationism; cultural/intellectual/institutional isolationism
Common mistake:
This broader use is less common than the political meaning and often appears with words such as cultural, intellectual, or institutional.
Synonyms
insularity (emphasizes being inward-looking and unaware of outside ideas)
|
separatism (suggests a stronger desire for formal separation from a larger group)
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closed-mindedness (focuses more on refusing new ideas than on separation itself)
Antonyms
openness (suggests willingness to accept outside ideas, people, or influences)
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engagement (emphasizes active contact and cooperation with others)
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integration (emphasizes becoming connected with a larger community or system)
Collocations
cultural isolationism
|intellectual isolationism
|institutional isolationism
|academic isolationism
|organizational isolationism
|a culture of isolationism
|break out of isolationism
|overcome isolationism
Themes
society
|organizations
|culture
|communication
Examples
- The university tried to move away from intellectual isolationism by creating more international research partnerships.
- Some critics saw the museum's policies as a form of cultural isolationism.
- The company's isolationism made it slow to learn from changes in the wider industry.
Learner examples
- The club's isolationism made new members feel unwelcome.
- The school ended its isolationism and began working with other schools.
Grammar
Dictionary form
isolationism
IPA
GB/ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/
US/ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
isol - a - tion - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: isolationism
- Plural: isolationism
Expressions
american isolationism
1/əmˈɛɹɪkən ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
U.S. avoidance of foreign entanglements
the idea that the United States should avoid getting involved in other countries' conflicts or agreements
Examples
- The debate revived old arguments about American isolationism and the country's role in the world.
- American isolationism became a major issue as voters questioned the cost of overseas commitments.
- Some analysts say the speech appealed to a long tradition of American isolationism.
cultural isolationism
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚəl ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
keeping culture separate
the idea that a culture should avoid outside influences
Examples
- The ban on foreign films was criticized as cultural isolationism.
- Supporters saw the language rules as cultural protection, while opponents called them cultural isolationism.
- Artists argued that cultural isolationism would make the country's creative scene less dynamic.
economic isolationism
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
limiting foreign economic ties
the idea that a country should reduce trade and economic connections with other countries
Examples
- Business groups warned that economic isolationism would raise prices and disrupt supply chains.
- The government denied that its new trade barriers were a step toward economic isolationism.
- In a connected global market, complete economic isolationism is difficult to maintain.