as in dominion
controlling power or influence over others
a nation whose economic imperium waned after the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 imperium
Nintendo has built a reputation on its willingness to catch fans off-guard, and a shutterbug adventure was the last thing anyone expected at the zenith of Pokemon’s imperium.
—
Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 June 2025
But our failure to anticipate this most recent spark of dissent is perhaps more understandable; after all, as Xi’s one-party Leninist imperium has gathered momentum, most foreign journalists have been expelled from China.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022
Even the Commonwealth—long a convenient way to sustain a more symbolic form of cultural imperium—has lost much of its meaning.
—Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2023
Playing that particular Neil Young tune to represent the American imperium was an insidious selection.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2024
Poland, through a protest movement, led the liberation of Europe from the Soviet imperium, culminating with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
But unlike the familiar realm of the Caesars, this imperium doesn’t govern only humans: Talking beasts also live as citizens in the empire.
—Liz Braswell, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2023
Many people in what was formerly East Germany, part of the Soviet imperium until shortly before German unification in 1990, look favorably on Moscow.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2023
Firstly, the struggle of Czech writers (within a German-speaking imperium) to transform their little vernacular into a language of literary distinction.
—Jared Marcel Pollen, The New Republic, 12 July 2023
Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 June 2025
But our failure to anticipate this most recent spark of dissent is perhaps more understandable; after all, as Xi’s one-party Leninist imperium has gathered momentum, most foreign journalists have been expelled from China.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022
Even the Commonwealth—long a convenient way to sustain a more symbolic form of cultural imperium—has lost much of its meaning.
—Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2023
Playing that particular Neil Young tune to represent the American imperium was an insidious selection.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2024
Poland, through a protest movement, led the liberation of Europe from the Soviet imperium, culminating with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
But unlike the familiar realm of the Caesars, this imperium doesn’t govern only humans: Talking beasts also live as citizens in the empire.
—Liz Braswell, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2023
Many people in what was formerly East Germany, part of the Soviet imperium until shortly before German unification in 1990, look favorably on Moscow.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2023
Firstly, the struggle of Czech writers (within a German-speaking imperium) to transform their little vernacular into a language of literary distinction.
—Jared Marcel Pollen, The New Republic, 12 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperium
Noun
-
After confederation, Canada strove to be the most British dominion in the British empire.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
-
These were inhabitants of the Real East Coast who, even in the late 2000s, were still under the impression that hip-hop’s having been created in their territory granted them indefinite dominion over how the genre’s rhythm and presentation were supposed to feel.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Evangelical politics rest on the same punitive, exclusionary foundation—a politics of division and domination, fixated on the end of the world rather than the flourishing of the Earth.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Anderson’s book makes a compelling argument that reaching for total audio domination was—and is—a noble endeavor, albeit one rife with pitfalls.—
John Hendrickson,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Known for his dominance on both ends of the floor, Diarra was named the Dikembe Mutombo Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his BAL career.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Those two teams have won nine of the past 12 Grand Tour titles, and their spending matches their dominance.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Mejia envisions a Panamerican awakening—a cross-continental coalition of talent, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship that can compete with China, defend digital sovereignty, and export innovation—not just commodities.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The United States is declining into authoritarianism and threatening Canada’s sovereignty.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
According to the Wall Street Journal, Chinese artificial intelligence companies are gaining ground globally, challenging U.S. supremacy and intensifying a potential AI arms race.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
-
The third annual South Florida Wing Bash will feature more than 20 chefs vying for supremacy for a panel of judges, as well as for the coveted People’s Choice Award.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperium.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperium. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share