noun
Uncommon
imperialism
ihm-PEER-ree-uh-lih-zm
Imperialism (noun) means a policy of extending a country's power over other nations through conquest, control, or economic dominance. Example: “The novel is a critique of 19th-century European imperialism.”
noun
1
A policy of extending a country's power over other nations through conquest, control, or economic dominance.
"Though most of the cases here cover European encounters with non-Europeans, it is not the intention of the book to give the impression that genocide is a function of European colonialism and imperialism alone."
— A. Dirk Moses, Preface (2008)
"The novel is a critique of 19th-century European imperialism."
"Imperialism reshaped the map of Africa in the late 1800s."
How to use imperialism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country expanding its power and influence over other territories or peoples, often by force.
Common pairings
cultural imperialism
the age of imperialism
anti-imperialism
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Word forms
- Plural
- imperialisms
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The novel is a critique of 19th-century European _____.
Etymology
From imperial + the suffix -ism.
Rhymes for imperialism
realism
fatalism
idealism
globalism
socialism
vandalism
federalism
radicalism
capitalism
liberalism
surrealism
journalism
See all rhymes for imperialism →
Frequently asked questions
What does “imperialism” mean?
The word “imperialism” means a policy of extending a country's power over other nations through conquest, control, or economic dominance. In plain terms, a country expanding its power and influence over other territories or peoples, often by force.
How do you pronounce “imperialism”?
“Imperialism” is pronounced ihm-PEER-ree-uh-lih-zm (/ɪmˈpɪ.ɹi.əˌlɪ.zəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “imperialism” in a sentence?
Here is “imperialism” used in a sentence: “The novel is a critique of 19th-century European imperialism.”
What part of speech is “imperialism”?
“Imperialism” is a noun.
Is “imperialism” a common word?
“Imperialism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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