domino theory

noun

1

: a theory that if one nation becomes Communist-controlled the neighboring nations will also become Communist-controlled

2

: the theory that if one act or event is allowed to take place a series of similar acts or events will follow

Examples of domino theory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This shock heightened Cold War fears of communist expansion and solidified the domino theory: the idea that if one state falls to communism, its neighbors will, too. —Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

The logic of the domino theory took on particular urgency in the early 1980s, after the collapse of the corrupt and brutal Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua and the coming to power of a Marxist-Leninist government—the Sandinistas, who in turn supported leftist guerrillas in neighboring El Salvador. —TIME, 9 Aug. 2024

In this brief study, a Latin American specialist presents an excellent detailed exposition of Cuban troop movements in Africa, Cuban diplomatic activity there, relations… Oligarchs and Officers: The Crisis in El Salvador Not since Vietnam has the domino theory enjoyed such currency in Washington. —William M. Leogrande, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 2024

The Vietnam war discredited domino theories, e.g., if Ukraine falls, President Putin will invade and conquer all of Europe and maybe even the United States. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2024

Two of the key theories underpinning the decision to invade—forcible democracy promotion and the domino theory—had been discredited before 2003. —Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023

There is no objective reason why decisions guided by domino theory are irrational and Putin’s attack on Ukraine is not. —Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023

The domino theory had the Big 12 being one of the beneficiaries of a Pac-12 implosion. —Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023

But in a podcast interview in May with Joe Oltmann, a right-wing activist in Colorado, Griffin placed his outwardly quixotic actions in the context of a sort of domino theory of how the 2020 election might still be overturned. —New York Times, 19 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that if dominoes are stood on end one slightly behind the other, a slight push on the first will topple the others

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

domino theory

noun

1

: a theory that if one nation becomes Communist-controlled the neighboring nations will also become Communist-controlled

2

: the theory that if one act or event is allowed to take place a series of similar acts or events will follow