What does "colonialism" mean?
The policy of a country seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories, generally with the aim of economic dominance.
Colonialism
/kəˈləʊ.njə.lɪ.zəm/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The policy of a country seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories, generally with the aim of economic dominance.
- Grammar: colonialism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absolute monarchy, appeasement, aristocracy, autarchy.
- Useful contrasts: decolonization, decolonizing, independence.
- Usage evidence: More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.
How to use "colonialism"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "colonialism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "colonialism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "colonialism" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "colonialism" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "colonialism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "absolute monarchy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "colonialism", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The policy of a country seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories, generally with the aim of economic dominance. countable, uncountable
"Though most of the cases here cover European encounters with non-Europeans, it is not the intention of the book to give the impression that genocide is a function of European colonialism and imperialism alone."
- 2 exploitation by a stronger country of weaker one; the use of the weaker country's resources to strengthen and enrich the stronger country wordnet
- 3 Any form of foreign influence seen as undesirable. broadly, countable, derogatory, uncountable
- 4 A colonial word, phrase, concept, or habit. countable, uncountable
"Although the settlement seems so far to have made but slow progress, there are many things which show that, to use a colonialism, "the place was going ahead.""
- 5 Colonial life. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "colonialism"?
Common synonyms include: absolute monarchy, appeasement, aristocracy, autarchy, autocracy, autonomy.
How do you use "colonialism" in a sentence?
More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.
How do you pronounce "colonialism"?
Pronounced /kəˈləʊ.njə.lɪ.zəm/.
Etymology
From colonial + -ism.