hegemony

he·ge·mo·ny

noun \hi-ˈje-mə-nē, -ˈge-; ˈhe-jə-ˌmō-nē\

Definition of HEGEMONY

1

: preponderant influence or authority over others : domination <battled for hegemony in Asia>

2

: the social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group

— heg·e·mon·ic \ˌhe-jə-ˈmä-nik, ˌhe-gə-\ adjective

Examples of HEGEMONY

1. They discussed the national government's hegemony over their tribal community.
2. <European intellectuals have long debated the consequences of the hegemony of American popular culture around the world.>
3. … the very concept of “scientific truth” can only represent a social construction invented by scientists (whether consciously or not) as a device to justify their hegemony over the study of nature. —Stephen Jay Gould, Science, 14 Jan. 2000
4. When Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, in June of 1941, distracted Japan's traditional rival for hegemony in East Asia, Japanese expansionists saw a historic opportunity. —David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999
5. If mermaids had ceased to challenge scientific hegemony, other similarly mythological creatures rushed in to fill their places in Victorian hearts and minds. —Harriet Ritvo, The Platypus and the Mermaid, 1997

Origin of HEGEMONY

Greek hēgemonia, from hēgemōn leader, from hēgeisthai to lead — more at seek

First Known Use: 1567

Related to HEGEMONY

Synonyms

ascendance (also ascendence), ascendancy (also ascendency), dominance, domination, dominion, supremacy, imperium, predominance, predominancy, preeminence, reign, sovereignty (also sovranty)

Related Words

primacy, superiority; lordship, scepter; arm, authority, choke hold, clutch, command, control, grip, hold, mastery, sway; takeover; direction, jurisdiction, management; clout, might, pull, weight; eminence, importance, moment; prerogative, privilege, right

Near Antonyms

helplessness, weakness; impotence, impotency, powerlessness

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with HEGEMONY

anemone, bigeminy, Gethsemane