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
As such, the Russian approach differs strikingly from China’s far more comprehensive and long-term strategy, which aims at building a worldwide imperium and whose economic interests in Africa dwarf Russia’s by a measure of almost ten to one.
—
Stephen Smith, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2022
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
At a time when Russia, weakened by its Ukrainian misadventure, risks becoming a satellite state of a rising Chinese imperium, reliance on Russia makes even less sense in the future.
—Shashi Tharoor, Foreign Affairs, 27 Apr. 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 Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s extraordinary new demands and threats, following his military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, has brought NATO back to basics — containing Russian power and imperium.
—New York Times, 14 Jan. 2022
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
Stephen Smith, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2022
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
At a time when Russia, weakened by its Ukrainian misadventure, risks becoming a satellite state of a rising Chinese imperium, reliance on Russia makes even less sense in the future.
—Shashi Tharoor, Foreign Affairs, 27 Apr. 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 Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s extraordinary new demands and threats, following his military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, has brought NATO back to basics — containing Russian power and imperium.
—New York Times, 14 Jan. 2022
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperium
Noun
-
Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.—
Monica Duffy Toft,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Kanye West goes on another antisemitic rant, defends Diddy, declares ‘dominion’ over wife.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
While Inside Out 2 is unlikely to become a third, there seems to be a rising tension between box office domination and awards.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
But the competition in 2025 will remain as tough as ever with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looking to continue his domination with a fifth successive championship and McLaren’s Lando Norris a leading contender to dethrone the Dutchman.—
Aleks Klosok,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Adding Xiaomi to the mix only extends its dominance.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Will Wolves continue their dominance, or can Fulham spoil the party at Molineux?—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
President Trump celebrated our military, our sovereignty, our heroes, and a young child battling terminal cancer—symbols of the strength and resilience that define this nation.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Emerging technologies like generative AI are powerfully transformative but demand resilient infrastructure capable of adapting to the evolving data sovereignty landscape.—
Hans Dekkers,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The United States would remain capable of rallying a counterbalancing coalition to impede any potential Chinese bid for political and military supremacy in Asia.—
Jennifer Kavanagh,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
-
When whatever system of government, likely some supremacy, is threatened, people will do anything.—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperium.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperium. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share