isolationism

[ahy-suh-ley-shuh-niz-uhm, is-uh-]

noun

1. the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.

isolationism

/ ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a policy of nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international affairs

2. an attitude favouring such a policy

isolationism

1. The doctrine that a nation should stay out of the disputes and affairs of other nations. The United States practiced a policy of isolationism until World War I and did not pursue an active international policy until after World War II. (See “entangling alliances with none.”)

Other Word Forms

• isolationist noun
• anti-isolationism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of isolationism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; isolation + -ism

Example Sentences

In 2026, the men’s World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Mexico and Canada, will further ratify the end of America’s sporting isolationism.

From Los Angeles Times

Others saw the black-and-white bears as a rebuke to Trumpian isolationism.

From Los Angeles Times

German-American groups and the pacifist left both promote isolationism.

From Salon

He was driving toward a sort of America First isolationism and shoring up the boundaries of the U.S., whether literal borders or conceptual boundaries of American identity.

From Salon

This is damaging in many ways, first and foremost because citizens are deprived of opportunities to see the results of ideas played out and to examine the possible outcomes of authoritarianism, isolationism, nationalism or chauvinism.

From Salon

Related Words

• alienation 
• apathy 
• callousness 
• carelessness 
• disdain 
• disinterest 
• disregard 
• inattention 
• inertia 
• insensitivity www.thesaurus.com
• lack 
• negligence 
• nonchalance