multilateral
adjective
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Since lateral means "side", multilateral means basically "many-sided". The philosophy of multilateralism claims that the best solutions generally result when as many of the world's nations as possible are involved in discussions, and multilateralists often favor strengthening the United Nations. Today multilateralism can be seen at work in, for example, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the International Criminal Court. But the U.S. doesn't always join the major multilateral organizations, instead often behaving as if a unilateral approach—that is, going it alone—was best for the interests of a powerful nation.
Examples of multilateral in a Sentence
Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
After World War II, the U.S. helped create the multilateral system in its own image.
—Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 13 Feb. 2025
Furthermore, the administration's stance on multilateral health initiatives, such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), remains uncertain.
—Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Another multilateral judiciary headquartered in The Hague, the International Court of Justice, is currently weighing charges of genocide brought by South Africa against Israel in connection with the conflict in Gaza.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Multilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multilateral. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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multilateral
adjective
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