WordValenonaligned
not formally allied with any major power bloc
In more detail
1. (adjective) not formally joined with or supporting any major power or political group, especially during the Cold War
2. (adjective) not in the correct position or not properly arranged
Examples
- 1. Many nonaligned nations tried to stay neutral during the conflict between the superpowers.
- 2. The text and images in the document were nonaligned and looked messy.
How to use nonaligned
Nonaligned primarily refers to countries that maintained political and military independence during the Cold War, particularly in the context of the Non-Aligned Movement. It can also describe a more general state of not being positioned correctly (often used in technical or mechanical contexts, particularly in photography and printing). The Cold War sense remains the dominant usage in political discourse.
Common phrases
- nonaligned movement
- nonaligned countries
- nonaligned nation
- nonaligned status
- remain nonaligned
Synonyms
neutral · independent · unaffiliated · uncommitted · detached
Opposites
aligned · affiliated · committed
Word family
align · alignment · aligned
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse nonaligned with simply neutral, but nonaligned specifically implies an active choice not to join blocs and often carries political significance, whereas neutral can describe a more passive or temporary stance.
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