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imperialism

imperialism

28 8.0
A policy in which a country takes control of other countries, often by taking land or using force
  • noun
  • /ɪmˈpɪəriəlɪzəm/
translation icon : imperialismo
  • The policy of imperialism has often been criticized for its impact on colonized nations.
  • cultural imperialism
  • American imperialism
  • Western imperialism

This moment is the foundation upon which all European imperialism grows.

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Examples

  • This war isn't about stopping communism, it's about spreading imperialism!

  • But the world had been saved from Japanese imperialism and German fascism.

  • And who are his agents of American imperialism?

  • Come join our fight against American imperialism.

  • This moment is the foundation upon which all European imperialism grows.

  • Our enemies are all those in league with imperialism.

  • Well, it's impossible to defeat imperialism... ...without identifying its head, the United States of America.

  • The Vietnam War dealt a major blow to American imperialism in the Third World.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Capitalist imperialism is our common enemy.

  • In much of the recent work discussing the history of U.S. imperialism, academic and otherwise, indigenous people barely register.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

colonialism
vsimperialism
22 7.4

Control of one country by people from another country who live there and take its resources for profit

includes other forms like military or economic control beyond settling
expansionism
vsimperialism
3 7.5

A policy by a country to gain more land or power

is broader, including control by colonization, military force, or economic means
imperialization
vsimperialism
9.9

A process when a country takes control of other lands and people

is the broader policy or practice rather than the process

Antonyms

10 7.2

A country becoming independent from rule by another country

Compounds

Changes and problems caused when one country controls another, often in colonies

Long-lasting political, economic, and social problems that continue after one country ruled another

social imperialism
  • Specialized
9.6

The spread of one culture's values and ways that weakens local cultures

How Controlling

domination
102 4.7
colonialism
22 7.4
imperialism
28 8.0
intervention
258 4.1
influence
806 2.3

Surface Forms

imperialism singular
imperialisms plural

Morphology

imperialism = imperial (transparent) = imperial + ism

The noun is a regular formation from the adjective 'imperial' with the productive suffix '-ism', indicating a system or doctrine related to empire.

Etymology

Imperialism comes from the Latin imperium 'command' or 'power', the same root as empire and emperor. So, imperialism means a country building an 'empire' by taking control of other lands and people.