unilateral
decided or done by one side only
Done or decided by only one side, without asking or agreeing with the other side or sides.
[unilateral] [decision/action/move] by [someone/something]
- The president announced a unilateral decision to impose new tariffs.
- Critics argue that a unilateral withdrawal from the treaty would damage international trust.
- Management took unilateral action to cut staff benefits without consulting employees.
- The company’s unilateral move surprised its business partners.
- They warned that any unilateral change to the contract would be invalid.
- The government made a unilateral decision to close the border.
- Her boss took unilateral action and changed her schedule without asking her.
- A unilateral move by one country can start a conflict.
- The union is angry about the company’s unilateral changes.
- He said his team would not accept any unilateral plan from the other side.
affecting only one side of the body
Happening on or in only one side of the body, or in only one of two body parts.
[unilateral] [pain/swelling/hearing loss/paralysis]
- The patient presented with unilateral hearing loss in the left ear.
- She reported unilateral pain in her right knee after the accident.
- Unilateral weakness of the face can be a sign of a stroke.
- The scan showed unilateral swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
- Unilateral paralysis of the arm developed suddenly during the night.
- The doctor said I have unilateral hearing loss in my right ear.
- He feels unilateral pain on the left side of his head.
- The stroke caused unilateral weakness in her left leg.
- Unilateral swelling of his foot worried the nurse.
- The dentist found unilateral problems only on one side of my mouth.
binding only one party in law
In legal English, used for a promise or contract where only one side has a duty to do something.
[unilateral] [contract/promise/declaration/undertaking]
- A reward offer is a classic example of a unilateral contract.
- The court recognized the unilateral declaration as legally binding.
- They entered into a unilateral undertaking to clean up the polluted site.
- The clause allows the bank unilateral termination of the agreement under certain conditions.
- International law sometimes treats a clear unilateral promise by a state as binding.
- In a unilateral contract, only one side makes a binding promise.
- The company signed a unilateral undertaking to pay for the damage.
- A clear unilateral declaration by a government can have legal effects.
- This is not a bilateral deal; it is a unilateral promise.
- The lawyer explained that a unilateral offer becomes binding when someone performs the act.
- Base: unilateral
unilateral action
1an action taken by one side only
An action taken by only one side, without agreement or cooperation from the others who are involved.
- The committee warned against any unilateral action that might damage the peace talks.
- Unilateral action by the company could lead to legal challenges.
unilateral contract
1contract binding only one party
A legal agreement where only one side makes a binding promise, usually becoming fully binding when the other side performs a certain action.
- A promise to pay a reward to anyone who finds a lost dog is a unilateral contract.
- Law students often study unilateral contract cases in their first year.
unilateral decision
1a decision made by one side only
A decision made by only one person, group, or country, without asking or agreeing with the other side or sides.
- Many employees were upset about the management’s unilateral decision to reduce salaries.
- The minister defended the unilateral decision as necessary for national security.
unilateral hearing loss
1hearing loss in one ear only
A medical condition where a person cannot hear well in one ear, but the other ear is normal or much better.
- The child was diagnosed with unilateral hearing loss in his left ear.
- Unilateral hearing loss can make it hard to tell where sounds come from.
unilateral move
1a one-sided strategic step
A single step or change made by one person, group, or country, without agreement from the other side or sides.
- Analysts saw the tariff increase as a unilateral move that could start a trade war.
- Such a unilateral move might weaken the country’s alliances.