IMPERIALISM Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

imperialism

noun

Definition of imperialism

as in hostility

tendency to extend power or control over others especially through the use of force Violent conquer of other nations is one extreme form of imperialism.

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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 imperialism There are so many aspects — of colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, all the isms, and fascism, which is coming back — that avoiding politics would be anti-historical. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 For Balthaser, these developments bore out some of the Jewish left’s warnings about Zionism as a project of nationalism, imperialism, and ethnic exclusion. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 31 Aug. 2026 National conservatives, for instance, oppose loosening the United States’ ties with Israel and tolerating Chinese and Russian imperialism. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 The result is a compelling indictment of Russia’s historical and present-day imperialism. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imperialism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperialism

Noun

When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Grynkewich's remarks had followed a tense weekend between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow launching fresh strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

On the contrary, airpower remains the most potent piece of the United States’ conventional forces, as well as its main source of both deterrent capacity and warfighting advantage against conventional aggression by hostile states.

— Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Publicly sharing Hasan’s death is unlikely to deter future acts of monstrous aggression, as Hegseth claims.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggression

Noun

Yet for Asian countries that endured Japanese imperial rule and expansion, Yasukuni remains a symbol of Japan’s militarism.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Yet the defense industry’s disbursement of billions of dollars to lobby Congress and influence policy debates helps drive the United States’ mindless militarism.

— Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of militarism

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imperial

imperialism

imperials

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“Imperialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperialism. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of imperialism

noun

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