united

/juˈnaɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /juˈnaɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /yu̇-ˈnī-təd/ (ame, mw)

united — adjective

  • unitedpositive
  • more unitedcomparative
  • most unitedsuperlative

1. used to describe separate groups, people, or countries that have come together t

1.形容詞B1
釋義

used to describe separate groups, people, or countries that have come together to form a single unit or to act with a shared purpose.

例句

The United Nations sent aid to the flood victims within 48 hours.

used in proper name: United Nations

Neighbours made a united effort to clear the snow from the street before dawn.

collocation: united effort

同義詞
  • combined

    more neutral and factual; used when things are simply put together, not necessarily with shared purpose

  • merged

    implies full blending into a single entity, usually of companies or organizations

  • allied

    suggests a strategic partnership that preserves each member's separate identity

  • joint

    emphasizes cooperative action (joint venture, joint effort) rather than the state of being one unit

反義詞
  • divided

    the most direct opposite; separated into parts

  • split

    suggests a division caused by disagreement or conflict

文法句型

united + noun

united in + noun/gerund

united as + noun

用法筆記

Very frequently used before a noun, especially in the names of organizations and sports teams (United Nations, United Airlines, Manchester United). In such names, it signals that the organization was originally formed by merging separate parts.

常見錯誤

❌The team is very united together.
✅The team is very united.
💡'united' already implies togetherness; adding 'together' is redundant.

2. used to describe a situation where everyone in a group shares the same opinion,

2.形容詞B1
釋義

used to describe a situation where everyone in a group shares the same opinion, goal, or feeling about a particular matter.

例句

The board members were united in their decision to reject the bid.

pattern: united in + possessive + noun

Staff and management are united on the need for better safety equipment.

pattern: united on + noun phrase (topic/issue)

同義詞
  • unanimous

    more formal; used specifically about votes or formal decisions

  • harmonious

    emphasizes peaceful coexistence and lack of conflict, not necessarily active agreement

  • in agreement

    a phrasal alternative that is neutral in tone and very common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • divided

    used when people hold opposing views

  • disunited

    specific to lack of agreement within a group; slightly formal

文法句型

united in + noun/gerund

united on + noun

united against + noun

united in + possessive + noun

用法筆記

Typically used predicatively (after a linking verb like 'are' or 'were'). The most common prepositions are 'in' (followed by a gerund or abstract noun), 'on' (followed by an issue or topic), and 'against' (followed by the thing being opposed).

常見錯誤

❌We are united to stop the project.
✅We are united in stopping the project.
💡With 'united', use 'in + gerund' to describe a shared action, not an infinitive of purpose.

3. used to describe a deliberate public show of agreement among group members, some

3.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a deliberate public show of agreement among group members, sometimes hiding private disagreements for strategic reasons.

例句

The opposition party presented a united front during the election campaign.

fixed phrase: present a united front

At the press conference, the leaders showed a united face on trade policy.

fixed phrase: show a united face

同義詞
  • unified

    more neutral and less performative; can describe either genuine or strategic unity

  • solid

    informal; suggests strong, reliable unity (e.g. staying solid as a group)

反義詞

文法句型

present/keep up + united front/face/appearance

united in public

用法筆記

Often occurs in the fixed phrase 'present a united front'. The sense carries a strategic or performative nuance — the group may not genuinely agree but chooses to appear united. Distinguish from sense 2 (IN AGREEMENT), which describes genuine shared opinion.

常見錯誤

❌The team presented a united front on the field.' (when you mean they played well as a team)
✅The team presented a united front during contract negotiations.
💡'present a united front' implies strategic agreement, not general teamwork.