isolation

The state of being alone or separate from other people or things.

• He lived in isolation.
• The village's isolation made travel difficult.
• Many older people experience social isolation.

How to use it: isolation from someone/something (Her isolation from her family made her unhappy.)

Similar words: separation, seclusion, solitude

Common phrases: in isolation, social isolation, feelings of isolation

A country's lack of contact or official relationships with other countries.

• The country faces international isolation.
• New talks ended years of diplomatic isolation.
• The government chose isolation over closer ties with its neighbours.

How to use it: isolation from something (The country's isolation from the outside world lasted decades.)

Common phrases: international isolation, diplomatic isolation, end isolation

Keeping a person with an illness away from others so the illness does not spread.

• The patient is in isolation.
• They moved her to an isolation ward.
• He left isolation when he could no longer spread the infection.

How to use it: in isolation (The patient remained in isolation for five days.)

Common phrases: in isolation, isolation ward, put into isolation

The act of keeping or taking someone or something apart from others.

• Isolation of the faulty part took minutes.
• The laboratory completed the isolation of a useful chemical.
• This switch allows electrical isolation of the damaged equipment.

How to use it: isolation of something from something (The isolation of the cells from the sample took hours.)

Similar words: separation

Opposites: integration

Common phrases: isolation of something, sound isolation, electrical isolation