What does "imperialism" mean?
The policy of forcefully extending a nation's authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations.
Imperialism
/ɪmˈpɪə.ɹi.ə.lɪ.z(ə)m/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The policy of forcefully extending a nation's authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations.
- Grammar: imperialism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: appeasement, balance of power, brinkmanship, caliphate.
- Useful contrasts: anti imperialism, cultural autonomy, cultural sovereignty.
- Usage evidence: It’s quite obvious that the purport of these misanthropic theories consists in slandering the working masses, relieving imperialism from the responsibility for the bloody wars it provokes, and imposing the thought that wars are endless and are allegedly caused by aggressive tendencies in human nature.
How to use "imperialism"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "imperialism" 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 "imperialism" 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 "imperialism" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "imperialism" 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 "appeasement" 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
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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 forcefully extending a nation's authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations. 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 any instance of aggressive extension of authority wordnet
- 3 Any undue extension of political, intellectual, or other forms of authority, particularly in regards to systems that benefit the Western world at the cost of the Global South. countable, derogatory, figuratively, uncountable
"The moral imperialism of the Supreme Court did not end with Chief Justice Warren’s resignation nor with the departures of the Justices who made up his distinctive majority."
- 4 a political orientation that advocates imperial interests wordnet
- 5 a policy of extending your rule over foreign countries wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It’s quite obvious that the purport of these misanthropic theories consists in slandering the working masses, relieving imperialism from the responsibility for the bloody wars it provokes, and imposing the thought that wars are endless and are allegedly caused by aggressive tendencies in human nature."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "imperialism"?
Common synonyms include: appeasement, balance of power, brinkmanship, caliphate, capitalist expansionism, centralism.
How do you use "imperialism" in a sentence?
It’s quite obvious that the purport of these misanthropic theories consists in slandering the working masses, relieving imperialism from the responsibility for the bloody wars it provokes, and imposing the thought that wars are endless and are allegedly caused by aggressive tendencies in human nature.
How do you pronounce "imperialism"?
Pronounced /ɪmˈpɪə.ɹi.ə.lɪ.z(ə)m/.
Etymology
From imperial + -ism.