mercantilism

noun

mer·​can·​til·​ism ˈmər-kən-ˌtē-ˌli-zəm 

-ˌtī-,

-tə-

1

: the theory or practice of mercantile pursuits : commercialism

2

: an economic system developing during the decay of feudalism to unify and increase the power and especially the monetary wealth of a nation by a strict governmental regulation of the entire national economy usually through policies designed to secure an accumulation of bullion (see bullion sense 1), a favorable balance of trade, the development of agriculture and manufactures, and the establishment of foreign trading monopolies (see monopoly sense 1)

mercantilist

ˈmər-kən-ˌtē-list 

-ˌtī-

-tə-

noun or adjective

mercantilistic

ˌmər-kən-ˌtē-ˈli-stik 

-ˌtī-

-tə-

adjective

Examples of mercantilism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately, various forms of mercantilism emerged in the 20th century. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

In recent years, challenges from Russian aggression to Chinese mercantilism to American abandonment have revealed just how unprepared a demilitarized Europe is to handle old-fashioned power politics. —Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025

In 1776, Adam Smith’s seminal work, The Wealth of Nations, revolutionized economic thought by challenging mercantilism. —Mirjana Perkovic, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Through mercantilism and colonization, Europeans sought natural resources abroad in order to increase their power at home. —Kathleen Duval, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mercantilism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism