semicolonial

adjective

semi·​co·​lo·​nial ˌse-mē-kə-ˈlō-nyəl How to pronounce semicolonial (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-,
-nē-əl
1
: nominally independent but actually under foreign domination
2
: dependent on foreign nations as suppliers of manufactured goods and as purchasers of raw materials
semicolonialism
ˌse-mē-nyə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce semicolonial (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-
-mi-
-nē-ə-
noun

Examples of semicolonial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Though Afghanistan was never formally colonized, Britain maintained a discreet semicolonial presence in the country that was continually resisted—the source of a series of Anglo-Afghan wars in the 19th and 20th centuries. Priya Satia, Time, 27 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'semicolonial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semicolonial was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near semicolonial

Cite this Entry

“Semicolonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semicolonial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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