Meaning & use
imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence over other nations through force, colonization, or economic dominance.
See it in a sentence
Historians still debate the true economic motives behind nineteenth-century European imperialism.
The novel critiques imperialism through the eyes of a colonized family.
A note on using this word
Imperialism can also describe modern economic or cultural dominance, extending beyond its original meaning tied to territorial colonies.
Words with a similar meaning
colonialismexpansionism
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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