expansionism

noun

ex·​pan·​sion·​ism ik-ˈspan(t)-shə-ˌni-zəm 

: a policy or practice of expansion and especially of territorial expansion by a nation

expansionist

ik-ˈspan(t)-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

expansionist adjective

or less commonly expansionistic

ik-ˌspan(t)-shə-ˈni-stik 

Examples of expansionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The conflict between Trump and Zelensky escalated into a war of words between the two that scared European allies who are worried about emboldening Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and rewarding his brutal expansionism. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025

Israel must end its regional expansionism under the guise of establishing security. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

President Trump defended his first three weeks back in the White House — punctuated by federal government disruption and promises of American expansionism — during an interview with FOX News Channel's Bret Baier that aired on Super Bowl Sunday. —Luke Garrett, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025

When he was first elected in 1896, McKinley was largely occupied with domestic affairs and expressed no interest in expansionism, Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, told McClatchy News. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for expansionism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism