as in hostility
tendency to extend power or control over others especially through the use of force
Violent conquer of other nations is one extreme form of imperialism.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imperialism
Coercing democratic allies such as Canada or Denmark more broadly weakens trust in U.S. alliances; threatening Panama reawakens fears of imperialism throughout Latin America; crippling the U.S. Agency for International Development undercuts the United States’ reputation for benevolence.
—
Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
While somewhat half-baked, Kong: Skull Island gestures at plenty of crunchy themes, including staunch environmentalism and critiques of American imperialism.
—EW.com, 8 May 2025
Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, anti-colonial movements repeatedly drew strength from Exodus imagery in their resistance to European imperialism.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Nonviolent imperialism Imperialism does not require military force.
—Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperialism
Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
While somewhat half-baked, Kong: Skull Island gestures at plenty of crunchy themes, including staunch environmentalism and critiques of American imperialism.
—EW.com, 8 May 2025
Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, anti-colonial movements repeatedly drew strength from Exodus imagery in their resistance to European imperialism.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Nonviolent imperialism Imperialism does not require military force.
—Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imperialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperialism
Noun
-
Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
-
However, what both standards have in common is that they are used when two countries are not in a state of hostilities.—
Steven Katz,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
There is no statute of limitation on the crime of aggression.—
Molly Quell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
The new body will deal with the crime of aggression, specifically regarding the use of armed force by one state against another.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
The ayatollahs have deprived the country of a prosperous civil society, channelling resources instead into militarism and messianic fantasy.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
-
Iran had significantly ramped up its enrichment capacity, with even the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (not exactly friendly to Israeli militarism) having determined that Iran had been enriching uranium well beyond the level of civilian use, and closer to military grade.—
The Editors,
National Review,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
India's jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world.—
Peter Aitken
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
As for the Russian soldiers, their remarks are a mix of jingoism and resignation.—
Ben Kenigsberg,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperialism. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share