The Meaning of Solidarity: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of solidarity? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word solidarity, including its definition, usage, word origin, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word solidarity mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other dictionaries like American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word solidarity is a noun that refers to unity that either produces community or is based on a community of interests, standards or objectives. Solidarity shows union in a group or class. These people or members of a group might share common responsibilities or a community of responsibilities. Solidarity has five syllables – sol-li-dar-i-ty, and the pronunciation of solidarity is ˌsɒlɪˈdærɪtɪ. Additionally, according to Dictionary, the proper noun Solidarity can refer to a Polish organization of independent trade unions that was founded in 1980 and outlawed by the Polish government in 1982.

Many different languages also contain words that mean the same thing as the word solidarity. You may notice that some of these words look and sound similarly to the word solidarity. This is likely because these cognates are of a similar origin. Oftentimes, when words are of a similar origin, they look and sound alike. This list of translations for the word solidarity is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Japanese: 連帯‎ (rentai)
  •  Yiddish: סאָלידאַרישקייט‎ (solidarishkayt)
  •  Chinese: 團結‎, 团结‎ (tuánjié)
  •  Arabic: تَضَامُن‎ (masc.)
  •  Zulu: ubuntu‎ (c14)
  •  Indonesian: solidaritas‎
  •  Romanian: solidaritate‎ (fem.)
  •  Maltese: solidarjetà‎
  •  Spanish: solidaridad‎ (fem.)
  •  Hungarian: szolidaritás‎
  •  Czech: solidarita‎ (fem.)
  •  Navajo: łaʼ ídlį́‎
  •  French: solidarité‎ (fem.)
  •  Turkish: dayanışma‎
  •  Swedish: solidaritet‎ (common)
  •  Armenian: համերաշխություն‎
  •  Hindi: एकता‎ (ēkatā)
  •  Finnish: solidaarisuus‎
  •  Danish: solidaritet‎
  •  German: Solidarität‎ (fem.)
  •  Tashelhit: tiwizi‎ (fem.)
  •  Greek: αλληλεγγύη‎, συναδελφικότητα‎ (fem.)
  •  Russian: солида́рность‎ (fem.)
  •  Polish: solidarność‎ (fem.)
  •  Portuguese: solidariedade‎ (fem.)
  •  Italian: solidarietà‎ (fem.)

How can the word solidarity be used in a sentence?

The word solidarity can be used in many different ways in sentences. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also make flashcards or quizzes for yourself to test your knowledge on their definitions. Try using this word in a sentence today! Below are a few different examples of solidarity to get you started.

The protesters stood in solidarity on the steps of the capitol building to show their support for universal health care, human rights, and a change in social policy. They received a plethora of media attention and took steps in the right direction to unite for the peoples of America.

The young children had solidarity with the Catholic social teaching as children, believing that everyone needs affection. However as they grew older, they felt that the policies put them in a difficult position where they were never allowed to confront anyone and were constantly being shamed and guilt tripped, trapped in cycles of abuse.

The long time union member, Phil, stood in solidarity with the picketing grocery store workers. He urged them to unite under a union and fight for fair wages, breaks, and labor laws. He also showed material support by providing a large donation to the group, which they were grateful for.

What are synonyms and antonyms of solidarity?

There are numerous different words that a person can use in place of the word solidarity. These are known as synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same or a similar meaning to another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful to know if you wish to avoid repeating yourself, as well as if you are looking to expand your knowledge of the English language. This list of synonyms for the word solidarity is provided by Thesaurus

  •  federation
  •  oneness
  •  comradeship
  •  harmony
  •  unanimity
  •  indivisibility
  •  agreement
  •  accord
  •  fellowship
  •  unity
  •  confederation
  •  union
  •  consensus
  •  support
  •  unification
  •  undividedness
  •  sameness
  •  teamwork
  •  uniformity
  •  alliance
  •  sympathies

There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word solidarity. These opposite words are known as antonyms, which are very useful to know if you are trying to expand your vocabulary or knowledge of the English language. This list of antonyms for the word solidarity is provided by Thesaurus as well.

  •  cross-purposes
  •  squabble
  •  break
  •  divisiveness
  •  antagonism
  •  dissent
  •  contention
  •  hostility
  •  atmospherics
  •  misunderstanding
  •  rupture
  •  wrangle
  •  breach
  •  debate
  •  friction
  •  spat
  •  difference
  •  opposition
  •  disunion
  •  jarring
  •  variance
  •  ill will
  •  contest
  •  split
  •  controversy
  •  argument
  •  bickering
  •  quarrel
  •  falling out
  •  disagreement
  •  animosity
  •  clashing
  •  tension
  •  division
  •  ill feeling
  •  discord
  •  dispute
  •  hassle
  •  fight
  •  altercation
  •  clash
  •  dissidence
  •  disunity
  •  conflict
  •  strife
  •  vendetta
  •  words
  •  feud

What is the origin of the word solidarity?

According to Etymonline, the word solidarity was first used in 1829 and comes from the French solidarité, from the Old French solidaire and solide. These come from the Latin solidus, and Latin solidum, which is the neuter of solidus. and the Proto-Indo-European root sol-ido and sol- meaning whole. Solidarity uses the suffix ity, but numerous other suffixes can be used to form related words including solid (adj.), semi-solid (adj.), solder (v.), soldier (n.), solidary (n.), solidify (v.), solidity (n.), solidly (adv.), and solidus (n.). The proper noun was first used in Poland in the early 1980s that led the new noncommunist government, and was disbanded by the government of Poland in 1982.

Overall, the word solidarity refers to a unity among people in a group, whether that be a unity of interests, mutual support, common goal, unifying principle, common enemy, willingness to participate, competing with another group, or some other social cohesion, union of interests or bond of unity and kinship. The proper noun Solidarity refers to a labor movement and Polish trade union, the Polish Solidarność, which was part of an organization of free trade unions.

Sources:

  1. solidarity: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  2. SOLIDARITY Synonyms: 24 Synonyms & Antonyms for SOLIDARITY | Thesaurus 
  3. DISAGREEMENT Synonyms: 84 Synonyms & Antonyms for DISAGREEMENT | Thesaurus 
  4. solidarity | Origin and meaning of solidarity | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  5. Solidarity | Definition of Solidarity | Merriam-Webster 
  6. Solidarity | Definition of Solidarity | Dictionary.com